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Friday, 2 December 2016

Trump’s economic enemy: Math.

Curious about the chances Trump’s budding economic policy might work? It sounds almost too good to be true: “The middle class will see a big tax cut, but the wealthy will not. American businesses will pay much lower taxes, and as a consequence bring back bns of USD from overseas. All this will create sustained growth of 3 to 4 percent a year and prevent the budget deficit from exploding.” Turns out, the New York Times writes, Trump’s biggest enemy might be “simple economic math.” Well, demographics, actually, but still…

And speaking of Trump: Diplomats are “aghast” about the president-elect’s “breezy calls to world leaders. … In the calls, he voiced admiration for one of the world’s most durable despots, the president of Kazakhstan, and said he hoped to visit a country, Pakistan, that President Obama has steered clear of during nearly eight years in office,” the New York Times complains. The readout of his call with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is priceless:

“President Trump said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif you have a very good reputation. You are a terrific guy. You are doing amazing work which is visible in every way. I am looking forward to see you soon. As I am talking to you Prime Minister, I feel I am talking to a person I have known for long. Your country is amazing with tremendous opportunities. Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people. I am ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems. It will be an honor and I will personally do it. Feel free to call me any time even before 20th January that is before I assume my office. On being invited to visit Pakistan by the Prime Minister, Mr. Trump said that he would love to come to a fantastic country, fantastic place of fantastic people. Please convey to the Pakistani people that they are amazing and all Pakistanis I have known are exceptional people, said Mr. Donald Trump.” We’re not making that up. The full readout from Pakistan’s Ministry of Information is here.

We don’t feel sorry for the diplomats. Try keeping corporate leaders on-script. It’s your turn, ladies and gentlemen.

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