The Shame of High Tariffs
When you see the figures coming out of South Africa, Laos, and Myanmar—or the outcome in Ukraine—it becomes very clear that most elites are not interested in unconditional shame, a topic I’ve been covering frequently.
No one has attempted this strategy in the Oval Office: to fully accept the shaming ritual that Trump is imposing on them.
Many of these politicians claim to love their country, but the truth is they are not willing to go out of their way to bring about the best outcomes for their people.
It doesn’t even matter if POTUS is wrong. He currently is representing the biggest buyer in the world. People brown-nose for way less causes, which shows you that people don’t prioritize things appropriately.
As an export-oriented economy, the tariffs imposed by the United States have significant consequences. They raise questions of opportunity cost and impact domestic revenue.
Not a single politician has simply accepted Trump’s claims and accusations. As a result, they are delivering worse outcomes for their own countries.
It doesn’t matter how their national media spins the narrative—the spin exists because of egotism.
If someone wants to bash me for a 10% lower tariff - I'd take it if I really am thinking of my national interest.
VICTORY! Unconditional Shame
When adversaries prize honor above all else, the most powerful victory is often not physical destruction but the infliction of shame. This insight underscores the argument that any military offensive against an opponent obsessed with “saving face” must be undertaken with great deliberation. The shame of a loss—forcing the enemy to lose face—can be a mor…