Trump and China president, Xi, meet tomorrow at G20 to seek compromise on ‘trade war’. If Trump’s past behavior re. phony trade war with Europe, So.Korea, and Mexico-Canada are a pattern, Trump will back off his escalating tariffs and tough talk on China trade. No final deal likely, but likely token retreat by both sides from existing tariffs, or agreement to hold more meetings between now and January 1, when real tariff war set to begin,or both. China likely to restate concessions on US banks and multinational corporations greater access to China markets (including 51% ownership) and China shift to buy more US agricultural goods. Trump likely to delay January 1 $200 billion tariff hikes. 60-40 chance both sides back off from drift to trade war. Words and vague promises by US and China on China tech transfer and nextgen military technology development by China as cover. Another token USMCA-like Nafta 2.0 likely to emerge. Why? Trump under pressure from stock markets keying on trade war (and Fed rate hikes), growing opposition in Congress to Trump trade policy, serious events emerging with Cohen-Mueller investigation of Trump-Russian Oligarch connections.
Listen to my Nov. 30 Alternative Visions radio show discussing scenarios and likely outcomes of latest version of Trump phony trade war. Also, what’s really behind GM’s announced 14,000 layoffs, and how Fed chair, Powell, is backing down from more 2019 rate hikes as the US markets weaken and global and US economies show signs of slowing in 2019.
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https://prn.fm/alternative-visions-china-trade-gm-layoffs-trump-v-fed-11-30-18/
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http://alternativevisions.podbean.com
SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT
Dr. Rasmus speculates on possible outcomes of the Trump-Xi meeting at G20 in Buenos Aires this coming weekend and provides a background history of US-China ‘trade war’ since May 2018; the latest moves of factions within US trade negotiations delegation; and Trump’s failure to get China to the negotiating table. Also, China’s past concession signals and US responses. And the Pence speech at the recent Asia-Pacific conference & US trade representative, Robert Lighthizer’s latest anti-China report released before the G20. Possible tactical outcomes and responses by China & US after the G20 meeting, and ‘wildcards’ that may impact post G20 events (including recent Cohen-Mueller developments). Rasmus next discusses GM’s announcement of 14,000 layoffs and what’s really behind it as GM pressures Trump for more car tariffs and tax credits. The show concludes with discussion of Federal Reserve chair, Powell’s, ‘about face’ this past week on slower further Fed rate hikes, only weeks after signaling in October many more hikes were coming. The Fed’s fiction of ‘neutral’ interest rate and myths about central bank (Fed) independence. (Check out the Rasmus blog, jackrasmus.com, for an excerpt from Rasmus’s forthcoming book, ‘Alexander Hamilton and the Origins of the Fed’, debunking the myth of central bank independence). Next week: Report back on the G20 Meeting and its fallout.
Dr. Jack Rasmus @drjackrasmus
Jack Rasmus 
1. The characterization of “trade war” is foolish, at best; it should be promoted as the necessity to adjust the status quo trade relationship with China by engaging in logical and pragmatic discussions.
2. Pres. Trump was incorrect when he suggested the Fed is crazy; the Fed is a criminal activity.
E.g., Greenspan’s Fed lifting the Discount Rate to 6% in a 2% inflationary environment (guess why).
Thank you,
michael zitterman
mikiesmoky@aol.com
My thanks to your efforts to make the invisible visible. Specifically, I am grateful that you have spoken out about the shocking number of killings by guns as well as suicides. My understanding is that suicide is now a leading cause of death for white males over 55. You are absolutely right that it is a sign of social disorder/decadence; the only thing that I can suggest is that these kinds of horrendous statistics were coming out of Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It is an appalling comment on the disorder of this country as to the numbers of killings as well as to the general lowering of life expectancy all of which remain invisible in the mainstream media.
I, strongly, suggest that you, President Trump, talking heads, etc. STOP characterizing this “matter” as a “trade war”.
We have recognized a problem, i.e., a need for adjustments in trade relationships, most notably with China.
We must characterize this effort as discussions to achieve equitable trade relationships.
That is the beginning.
michael zitterman
mikiesmoky@aol.com
David, you touched upon a complicated yet simple problem, our nation’s modus operandi which has created too many inequitable facets.
It extends from the simple (lying to our children for our ‘pleasure’, i.e., telling them there is a Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, etc.; and how does that affect them when they ultimately realize that their ultimate security has not been truthful with them, i.e., how will they accept outside authority?) to more complicated phenomena such as an inequitable tax structure, irrational political correctness, believing we own one another, greed, lack of empathy, and on and on and on,
All problems are correctable IF we recognize, understand, seeks options to mitigate and apply the best options. Yes, it takes effort.
michael zitterman
mikiesmoky@aol.com