Tariffs: Oh, Canada!
“The only certainty in (fiscal, trade and monetary) policy, politics, in our capital markets, in our social lives and, even in sports, is the lack of certainty these days.” — Doug Kass
Tariffs
Trump 2.0 tariffs and our trading partners’ retaliations are taking shape. What can we expect? Today I offer my own macro perspective and some thoughts from others.
National Defense & Transition!
I wrote about America’s national defense on the Sunday before Trump 2.0 Inauguration Day (https://kotokreport.com/national-defense/). Many thanks to readers for their varied viewpoints and responses. Here are some additional observations.
Trump 2.0 & Healthcare?
In the US stock market, the healthcare sector is represented by the sector spider XLV. Here’s a recent pre-inauguration picture of the sector spider’s performance.
National Defense
Readers, please note that this is my opinion alone.
I’m writing this in the midst of a continuously changing environment for the defense of the United States as the Biden regime transitions to the Trump 2.0 administration. Trump’s rhetoric (I hope that’s all it is) about military action in Panama or acquiring Greenland or intensifying tariff wars with our closest trading partners, Canada and Mexico, are happening in a globally diverse and rapidly changing world.
Fires & Hurricanes!
The California fires will end up setting records in billions in a catastrophe loss. On the East Coast a similar new record cost will continue to be revealed as the trifecta hurricane damages from Debby, Helene, and Milton continue to mount.
America’s ERP, Korea & Its Stock Market
On the auspicious date of Friday the 13th of December 2024, I published “4 Stock Market Perspectives”. Readers are thanked for their comments. Today, let’s add to that discussion.
Debt Ceiling, Trump’s Problem & The New 119th House of Representatives
Let’s start the new year with an update and a math correction. But first, please remember that this commentary is released for a Sunday publication date on the Thursday before the Friday start of the new 119th House organization for the new Congress.
Lee Zeldin, HFCs & the New Year
I wish all readers a healthy and happy new year. Let’s get to a very specific item that may impact every one of us in 2025.
President-elect Trump has proposed former New York congressman Lee Zeldin to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Fishing for Fed’s Independence
First, I want to wish all readers the very best and safest holiday celebrations. Our Congress celebrated, too, by giving the United States an added cost of about $50 billion a year in the nation’s interest rate burden.