Author Archives: Yves Smith

More on DOGE’s Fraud and Destruction

An update on DOGE’s rampage through government functions.

Tariffs and Trade Wars: Failing to Learn from the Great Depression

A detailed discussion of the damage done by Smoot Hawley to illustrate why tariffs typically do more harm than good

Who Will Pay the Highest Price for Trump’s Postal Service Privatization Push?

“Without competition from our public Postal Service, for-profit firms would jack up delivery fees on as many customers as possible.”

7 Truths About Trump’s Tariffs — And the High-Stakes Future They Shape

What is Trump trying to achieve on the economic front? Despite all the bobbing and weaving, he does have some core aims.

Links 4/15/2025

Here’s What’s in the New Rough Draft U.S.-Iran Nuclear Deal

A purported list of proposed US terms for its negotiations with Iran looks to go well beyond what Iran could accept.

Keynesian Militarism or Wishful Thinking?

European NATO members hope Keynes’ magic will make their newly adopted militarism feasible. A sanity check.

Michael Hudson: Return of the Robber Barons – Trump’s Inverted View of America’s Tariff History

Trump’s slash and burn tariff policy is to shrink government, gut regulation and sell off public assets to pay for his tax cuts on super rich

For Climate and Livelihoods, Africa Bets Big on Solar Mini-Grids

Nigeria pioneers in mini-grid installations to bring reliable electricity to remote communities — a model for other African countries

Links 4/12/2025

Trade in the Time of Trump

Trump promised in 2016 and 2024 to undo deindustrialization from globalization and free trade, with tariffs as his main tool. Can it work?

For Health Apps, Questions Over Privacy and Efficacy

Apps that track health data or help provide care may be beneficial, but experts worry about the lack of regulation.

US-Iran Negotiations: Why an Agreement Looks Unlikely

Happy endings look remote with the US attempt to escalate against Iran and bully them into a “deal”.

More Trump Punishment of the Poors: HHS Eliminates Office That Sets Poverty Levels Tied to Benefits for 80 Million People

Yet another Trump gutting of a whole swathe of programs, here by eliminating the experts who knew how to determine poverty thresholds.

International Trade Suppression and the Demand for US Treasuries

On how lower foreign government appetite for Treasuries might affect the status of the dollar as reserve currency.