Trade

The Trump Bump has officially become the Trump Slump, with the current US administration’s incessant focus on tariffs contributing to one of their greatest tailspins of all time:

Barring major cyclonic damage from Alfred as it barrels into Brisbane tomorrow morning—for those of you in its path, stay safe!—Albo appears all but certain to call an election on either Sunday or Monday, after the week’s expenditure review committee (ERC) meetings were all reportedly cancelled.

As the US swings towards isolationism, Australia must forge new alliances to safeguard its interests.

Trump's failed peace deal leaves Ukraine exposed, allies wary, and aggressors empowered.

The Albanese government dropped a policy bomb on Sunday: a complete ban on foreign investors and temporary residents purchasing established homes for two years. I would write something about it, but I already did when Dutton proposed the same policy a couple of weeks ago.

Could a global currency accord be Trump's tariff end-game?

The fallout from the first Trump 2.0 tariffs has continued into the week, with the latest casualty (other than global equities) being the risky crypto that had been bid up on what was ‘supposed’ to be a market-friendly Trump government:

Trump's tariffs on Canada and Mexico are a case of self-flagellation—hurting consumers, exporters, and US credibility with no real gains.

Trump will almost certainly usher in Trade War Two; how China subsidises supply and restricts demand; the Australian Greens reveal yet another awful policy idea; and is the US stock market in the mother of all bubbles?

The Albanese government took the guillotine to democracy; Argentina is getting a good old-fashioned dose of microeconomic reform; what Victoria can teach the rest of Australia; prediction markets and the future of forecasting; and trade works in roundabout ways.