This week on The SPOTREP I explore UK-French nuclear cooperation, US drone policy, Israel’s attack on Iran, and Trump’s addiction to rare earth minerals. And I answer questions that would make a Chihuahua howl.
In this episode of The Russia House I explore the threat posed by Germany as it seeks to manifest itself as a new Fourth Reich in a fascinating dialogue with Igor Shishkin, a noted Russian historian and political scientist.
Trump Watch is a new weekly “report card” on all things Trump hosted by Scott Ritter for paid subscribers. Scott interviews one guest on one topic in each episode. In Episode Eight, Ryan Dawson shares his unrivaled information about the so-called Epstein files, and delves into the relationship between Israel and the United States.
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In a single tumultuous week, President Donald Trump reignited a trade war that had remained dormant for just 3 short months. With sharp warnings to U.S. allies like Japan and South Korea—delivered via formal letters and public social media posts—Trump unleashed a new wave of protectionism. A 50% tariff on copper, potential 200% levies on pharmaceuticals, and a 35% tariff threat against Canada marked a dramatic return to economic brinkmanship. Over 20 countries now face punitive measures set to begin on August 1, unless they accept terms dictated solely by the U.S.
This sudden revival of Trump’s economic nationalism signals a turning point in the global economic order. Unlike past instances where tariffs were used as negotiating leverage, Trump now views them as the end goal. His demand to Brazil, threatening a 50% tariff over internal political matters, illustrates a shift from trade policy to geopolitical coercion. Chaos is not a side effect, it is the goal. Similarly, his late-night warning to Canada—a key U.S. trading partner—cited fentanyl, immigration, and dairy issues, effectively blending domestic grievances with international economic threats.
Yet, this time, global markets are not flinching. Have we become desensitized? While Trump’s previous tariffs caused widespread market panic, Wall Street has now grown accustomed to the volatility. The S&P 500 reached record highs, and the Canadian dollar rebounded quickly. Investors appear to believe Trump may once again retreat at the last minute, but the uncertainty remains deeply destabilizing.
Despite promises of “90 trade deals in 90 days,” only a few vague agreements have emerged, and even those are mired in confusion. Vietnam, for example, denied having finalized any deal, despite U.S. claims to the contrary. Trump’s “my way or the highway” approach bypasses traditional diplomacy, WTO processes, and multilateral negotiation. Whether this is a strategic gamble or a chaotic impulse, one thing is clear: a new chapter in global trade is unfolding.
If no deals are reached, the world may soon face the full force of Trump’s tariff regime, reshaping economies, alliances, and the role of the U.S. in the global order.
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After the end of the Second World War, Germany was divided into four occupation zones, involving US, British and French troops in what was known as the western zone of occupation, and Russian troops in the eastern zone of occupation. In 1949, confronted by the collapse of the wartime grand alliance and the emergence of what Winston Churchill called an “iron curtain” separating the western powers from Russia, the western zones of occupation were consolidated into what became known as the Federal Republic of Germany, or West Germany.
Connexion