Winter is Coming... to Global Trade? A Dragon Queen's Take on Trump's Trade Wars

A Storm of Swords and Tariffs

Fools! It seems this Donald Trump a man with the subtlety of a Dothraki horde has upset the delicate balance of trade! He's shattered the global relationships like a poorly forged Valyrian steel sword against a White Walker. I Daenerys Stormborn Mother of Dragons Queen of the Ashes and Breaker of Chains would have approached this with more… finesse. "Fire and Blood," is useful but not for *everything*! I wouldn't claim the Iron Throne through trade negotiations but if I were to I'd do it right.

Promises Promises: A Lannister Always Pays His Debts (Maybe)

This Scott Bessent Trump's Treasury man speaks of deals being 'very close.' Such pronouncements remind me of Varys whispering sweet nothings into my ear full of promises and half truths. And then this new Canadian Prime Minister meets with Trump... ah the tangled web of diplomacy. It’s as intricate as a Lannister plot and likely just as treacherous. But then Trump opens his mouth and claims they don't *need* deals! It is as if he is trying to unite the world against the US.

When One Dragon Burns Others Soar

Trump's protectionism like a poorly aimed dragon flame may inadvertently be forging new alliances. The U.K. and India uniting like the Dothraki to my cause agree on a trade pact. ASEAN and China plot improvements to their own trade agreement. These connections could very well bypass the U.S. entirely leaving Trump to sit alone on his pile of gold like a grumpy Smaug. "Dracarys" may solve many problems but a well crafted trade agreement can be just as powerful without all the ash and screaming.

The Small Council: Key Players in This Game of Thrones

We hear of meetings in Switzerland between U.S. and Chinese officials. Such talks are fraught with peril like negotiating with the masters of Astapor. Meanwhile the UK and India are getting cozier while China eases monetary policy. It appears the world doesn't wait even for the self proclaimed 'king' across the sea.

Stocks Fall Dragons Rise!

Unsurprisingly the markets reacted to Trump's… unique… approach. Stocks fell proving that even the most gilded cage can be rattled by a fool's pronouncements. But fear not! While some indexes falter Asia Pacific markets show a flicker of hope like a dragon egg about to hatch. I suppose the dragons are not the only ones who can rise. The news of AMD's earnings shadowed by export limits is a reminder that even the mightiest empires face constraints. Much like how I had to learn the hard way that conquering Meereen was only the beginning of my challenges.

Whispers of War and the Lure of Tourism

There are reports of strikes between India and Pakistan and JPMorgan cautions against the U.S. economic bubble. But fear not! In a twist worthy of Tyrion Lannister Chinese tourism is booming! Datong's Yungang Buddhist grottoes popularized by a video game see a surge in visitors. It would seem that even amidst trade wars and political squabbles the people still seek beauty and adventure. I should know my dragons draw a crowd like no other!