Donald Trump's Approval Rating Suffers Quadruple Blow U.S. economy shrinks 0.3% in first quarter as Trump trade wars disrupt business US ready to sign Ukraine minerals deal ‘this afternoon’, as Kyiv sends minister to Washington Readers give their verdict on Trump’s 100 days: ‘Extraordinary destruction’ The big decision that could shape AOC’s future Faced with the stresses of President Donald Trump’s second term, Democratic voters are yearning for younger and more assertive leadership. Many see exactly what they are looking for in Ocasio-Cortez, 35, who has traveled the country in recent months, packing rally after rally with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and fueling speculation about a potential White House run. ........ many members see her as the perfect fit for the Oversight job — a skill requiring media savvy, quick thinking and a political killer instinct. .......... But others off Capitol Hill think she’s better off seeking a bigger stage and continuing to build a national platform to reshape the future of the Democratic Party. Instead of chasing a mid-level House job, some suggest she’s better off preparing a run for Senate or even the presidency in 2028. .............. “I think the work being done in Oversight by the minority party is way less important than the work being done in communities and across America painting a different path, a different vision for the Democratic Party,” said Corbin Trent, a former Ocasio-Cortez aide. ......... “I think we really are in the midst of defining what the next political era could be and defining what the Democratic Party should be,” added an ally of Ocasio-Cortez granted anonymity to speak candidly. “And I think she has a much bigger role to play in that conversation than she does in the kind of nitty-gritty of gaining power within the House.”
I have a lot of friends both in New York and Washington DC at investment banks, commercial banks, hedge funds, pension funds, etc. that get face time with the administration.
They are almost all unanimously telling me something similar and very disturbing.
A new OH Governor poll coming out of Bowling Green State University has @VivekGRamaswamy lapping the GOP primary field with a whopping 64% of the vote share. He also is leading the potential Democrat field, and is strongest head to head. Time to unite in Ohio behind Vivek.
3/ Trump ends enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, so that his staff can more easily get paid on the side by foreign governments and companies seeking to bribe the Trump Administration. pic.twitter.com/kWteqFYdOo
9/ Trump launches a new private club in DC with a $500,000 buy in to allow corporations and oligarchs the chance to pay money to have access to Trump’s inner circle. pic.twitter.com/fy8s43VOrU
Saw 500 deals this month. Leading one seed deal, following on in a second. Very competitive and expensive. Heard a blue-chip told their investment team they were no longer focused on Series A and to pay whatever price at seed. Sums up the market right now.
"This is the new model where you work in these kinds of plants for the rest of your life, and your kids work here and your grandkids work here." - Lutnick pic.twitter.com/mfAm2lkQw1
This has probably been the least successful first hundred days of a presidency @realDonaldTrump on the economy in the last century. We have seen the stock market go down, the dollar go down, forecasts of unemployment go up, forecasts of inflation go up, forecasts on the odds of a…
Peter Navarro on CNBC reacts to the shrinking GDP number by insisting it's actually good news because if you strip out the effect of tariffs "you have 3 percent growth. So we really like where we're at now." pic.twitter.com/iVQoKy4ijf
There are many cringey things about Trump's 2nd term. But nothing is as cringey as watching these Cabinet meetings where Trump's appointees kowtow to him and slather him with praise like they're courtiers to a king. It's repulsively un-American. https://t.co/QjpXcN7koK
My feeling is that Trump's presidency is over if/once shortages hit. Americans can tell themselves any story they want right now, but if store shelves start going bare voters will rebel.
— Jeff Blehar is *BOX OFFICE POISON* (@EsotericCD) April 29, 2025
My feeling is that Trump's presidency is over if/once shortages hit. Americans can tell themselves any story they want right now, but if store shelves start going bare voters will rebel.
— Jeff Blehar is *BOX OFFICE POISON* (@EsotericCD) April 29, 2025
Trump's First 100 Days: Prices of eggs, chicken breast, ground beef, coffee, and avocados are all way up.
Tariffs may cause short term economic contraction, but in the long run they'll unlock the American dream of working in a factory and making less than a cashier at Walmart.
What’s that old expression? Don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining? Well that applies here. The stock market is a direct reflection of Trumps 1st 100 days in office. Doesn’t mean it won’t get better and that we don’t need to be patient, but this is his market not Bidens pic.twitter.com/GVDCyL8NKH
Pretty amazing. We got the recession started right after Trump took over and started destroying our economy. Never seen this happen in the first 100 days of a presidency. Negative GDP and higher inflation.
When you eliminate experts and attack judges and journalists, @AnneApplebaum says, “you create an absolutely open field for corruption.” Watch the full discussion from The Atlantic’s On the Future event: https://t.co/XDlmddr5I2pic.twitter.com/e8GGiLeqLw
Peter Navarro warned Europe that as China supplies Americans with fewer low-cost goods, it will be forced to supply those goods to Europeans instead. Now Europeans will be forced to suffer the consequences of more affordable goods, lower interest rates, and rising stock prices.
As of 2024, the total goods trade between India and the United States reached approximately $129.2 billion, with U.S. exports to India at $41.8 billion and imports from India at $87.4 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $45.7 billion for the U.S. (India | United States Trade Representative)
Mapping the Path to $500 Billion by 2030
Achieving a bilateral trade volume of $500 billion by 2030 would require an annual growth rate of approximately 20%. Several scenarios could contribute to this ambitious target:
Beyond goods, services trade, including information technology, business process outsourcing, and financial services, is a significant component of India-U.S. trade. Enhancing cooperation in these areas could contribute substantially to reaching the $500 billion target.
Projected Trade Composition at $500 Billion
India's Exports to the U.S.
Electronics and Semiconductors: India's electronics exports have been growing, with mobile phones and other electronics forming a significant portion.
Pharmaceuticals: India is a major supplier of generic drugs to the U.S., a trend likely to continue.
Textiles and Apparel: Traditional strengths in textiles could see further growth.
Energy Products: Exports of crude oil, LNG, and coal are expected to rise.
Aerospace and Defense Equipment: India's modernization efforts may lead to increased imports of U.S. aircraft and defense systems.
Agricultural Products: Reduced tariffs could boost exports of almonds, walnuts, and other produce.
Technology and Services: Software, cloud services, and other tech exports are poised for growth.
Conclusion
Reaching a $500 billion trade volume by 2030 is ambitious but achievable through strategic agreements, supply chain diversification, and growth in both goods and services trade. Both nations stand to benefit from a strengthened economic partnership. (India-US embark on a new era of trade and economic partnership)
Rand Paul thinks he has enough votes to block President Trump's tariffs. Fortunately, Speaker Johnson says he will block this in the House. We have to go to the mat for this to be stopped. The tariffs need a chance to work. It isn't an overnight process.
Amazon decides to make the cost of Trump's tariffs transparent on its site. Trump finds out, calls Bezos to stop it because it will make him look bad. Bezos - who is not even the company's CEO anymore - gets Amazon to stop it.
Trump claims we will raise so much money from tariffs that he'll eliminate income taxes for people earning under $200K. But if we raise that much money from tariffs it's because we're not bringing manufacturing back and Americans are paying higher prices for the imports they buy.
Former Google CEO, Eric Schmidt testifies before Congress and said
"I honestly believe the AI revolution is under-hyped" "These algorithms will require far more computation and energy than we’ve ever needed before." $NVDApic.twitter.com/BzKambJKWf
I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope. This would truly be a dark horse candidate, but I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind about this possibility!
The global financial landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as countries actively pursue dedollarization strategies to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar. This shift is driven by geopolitical tensions, economic considerations, and technological advancements, signaling a move toward a multipolar currency system. (Tether is betting big on the U.S. dollar. Why it faces challenges from Trump's tariffs.)
🌍 The Global Push for Dedollarization
Historically, the U.S. dollar has dominated international trade and finance. However, recent developments indicate a concerted effort by various nations to diversify their currency usage:
China: Accelerating the internationalization of the yuan, China has expanded its currency swap agreements, promoted the use of the yuan in cross-border transactions, and enhanced its financial infrastructure to support yuan-based settlements. (China ramps up global yuan push, seizing on retreating dollar)
BRICS Nations: Countries like Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa are increasingly conducting trade in their local currencies. For instance, Brazil and China have initiated trade settlements in yuan and reais, reducing dependence on the dollar.
Europe: The European Union is exploring the development of a digital euro to enhance monetary sovereignty and reduce reliance on U.S.-based payment systems. This initiative aims to provide a secure and efficient alternative for cross-border transactions within the Eurozone. (The battle for the global payments system is under way)
🔄 Bilateral Currency Agreements
Several countries have established bilateral agreements to facilitate trade in their respective currencies:
China and Russia: In response to Western sanctions, these nations have increased the use of the yuan and ruble in bilateral trade, fostering financial cooperation and reducing exposure to the dollar.
India and the UAE: These countries have agreed to conduct trade in rupees and dirhams, streamlining transactions and minimizing currency conversion costs.
Such agreements enhance economic resilience and reflect a broader trend of diversifying currency usage in international trade.
Chinese Yuan (CNY): With China's growing economic influence and strategic initiatives, the yuan is increasingly used in global trade and finance.
Euro (EUR): The euro remains a strong contender, especially with efforts to deepen financial integration within the Eurozone.
Digital Currencies: Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are emerging as potential game-changers, offering efficient and secure transaction methods that could reshape global finance.
💻 Technological Advancements Driving Change
Technology plays a pivotal role in facilitating dedollarization:
Blockchain and Digital Platforms: Innovations like China's Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) and the mBridge project aim to streamline international settlements, reducing reliance on traditional dollar-based systems.
These technological advancements offer alternatives to the existing financial infrastructure, enabling countries to conduct transactions more efficiently and independently.
While the U.S. dollar remains dominant, the momentum toward a multipolar currency system is undeniable. Over the next two decades, the combined impact of geopolitical shifts, economic strategies, and technological innovations is expected to gradually diminish the dollar's supremacy, paving the way for a more diversified and resilient global financial architecture. (de-dollarization: Trump threat of 100% tariff: Does the US have ...)
For a deeper understanding of China's dedollarization efforts, you may find the following video insightful:
