ban citizen ownership of gold (again)
ban citizen ownership of non-US stocks
ban shorting the market or buying puts to protect one's equity position
control capital flows in and out of the US
arbitrarily decide to halt US Treasury coupon payments to "hostile" investors; China comes to mind immediately, but maybe Canada, Denmark, Panama... and what if YOU held a Treasury ETF like TLT or SGOV, and Trump decides he doesn't like that company for whatever reason?
direct future sovereign wealth fund flows into investments that he has a beneficial interest in
If he thinks it will make look good, punish perceived enemies (anyone can become a perceived enemy, just ask his former employees from the 45th Presidential term), make him money, or save him from derision and shame, he will do it
======================
If he's going golfing with the Saudis while the market is crashing, what won't he do?
During Lehman, it was all-hands-on-deck at the GW Bush White House in 2008:
"Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson reportedly kneeled before House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a bid to keep her party on board with the bailout package so it can get through Congress and onto the president's desk before the credit markets seize up."
What has Bessent been up to? Gawd, I miss Mnuchin a little bit (oops that thought made me throw up in my mouth)
Trump is the kind of person who would sign an EO to...
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I Shrugged
- Executive Member
- Posts: 2148
- Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2012 6:35 pm
Re: Trump is the kind of person who would sign an EO to...
No president should be able to do any of that, frankly.
Re: Trump is the kind of person who would sign an EO to...
Well if nothing else, I am thankful Trump has inspired me to read Bastiat. 
<snip>
There is no country in the world where the law is kept more within its proper domain: the protection of every person's liberty and property. As a consequence of this, there appears to be no country in the world where the social order rests on a firmer foundation. But even in the United States, there are two issues—and only two—that have always endangered the public peace.
What are these two issues? They are slavery and tariffs. These are the only two issues where, contrary to the general spirit of the republic of the United States, law has assumed the character of a plunderer.
Slavery is a violation, by law, of liberty. The protective tariff is a violation, by law, of property.
Currently listening to this => https://mises.org/podcasts/audio-essays ... h-not-seen
<snip>
There is no country in the world where the law is kept more within its proper domain: the protection of every person's liberty and property. As a consequence of this, there appears to be no country in the world where the social order rests on a firmer foundation. But even in the United States, there are two issues—and only two—that have always endangered the public peace.
What are these two issues? They are slavery and tariffs. These are the only two issues where, contrary to the general spirit of the republic of the United States, law has assumed the character of a plunderer.
Slavery is a violation, by law, of liberty. The protective tariff is a violation, by law, of property.
Currently listening to this => https://mises.org/podcasts/audio-essays ... h-not-seen
Re: Trump is the kind of person who would sign an EO to...
From at least 1775 to 1900 and gold remained at GB Pounds 4.25/ounce. A one Pound Sovereign gold coin contains a little under a quarter of a ounce of gold ( 1 / 4.25). US inflation over those years annualized 0%. Lending money (gold) typically earned 5% - which was like a real rate of return.
The transition over to the US dollar for international trade settlements was originally made on the basis that the dollar would remain pegged to gold, fiat currency however has seen more dollars being printed/spent - exported inflation (benefited the US, cost others).
Trump wants to have and eat his cake, reduce the deficit down to zero, still be able to export inflation, impose costs/tariffs upon others. He's throwing away a massive competitive advantage for the US in the expectation of more US wealth, that is far more inclined to lead to less wealth. Ignorance is bliss and he blissfully rambles on (and on and on). He's well versed in creating bankruptcy situations. Very inconsistent as well, easily led into alternative/new ideas that sound good to him at the time. Seems to enjoy writing his up/down/up/down signature using a big bold pen. Apparently a puppet, where others in the background are pulling his strings. He likes authoritarianism, especially how Putin maintains such and presumably aspires to be similar. Where Americans have voted such control into being (control/dominance over both houses and the executive).
US stocks have had a good decade+, most others have flat-lined, Trump risks giving back all of those gains and possibly more - which could be a very deep dive potentially to rival/exceed the Wall Street Crash years. I note that over on BH many are now looking at International stocks whereas previously the claim was that international should be avoided. Gold is also becoming more in vogue, as some see similarities to the 1970's and/or Weimar Germany.
The transition over to the US dollar for international trade settlements was originally made on the basis that the dollar would remain pegged to gold, fiat currency however has seen more dollars being printed/spent - exported inflation (benefited the US, cost others).
Trump wants to have and eat his cake, reduce the deficit down to zero, still be able to export inflation, impose costs/tariffs upon others. He's throwing away a massive competitive advantage for the US in the expectation of more US wealth, that is far more inclined to lead to less wealth. Ignorance is bliss and he blissfully rambles on (and on and on). He's well versed in creating bankruptcy situations. Very inconsistent as well, easily led into alternative/new ideas that sound good to him at the time. Seems to enjoy writing his up/down/up/down signature using a big bold pen. Apparently a puppet, where others in the background are pulling his strings. He likes authoritarianism, especially how Putin maintains such and presumably aspires to be similar. Where Americans have voted such control into being (control/dominance over both houses and the executive).
US stocks have had a good decade+, most others have flat-lined, Trump risks giving back all of those gains and possibly more - which could be a very deep dive potentially to rival/exceed the Wall Street Crash years. I note that over on BH many are now looking at International stocks whereas previously the claim was that international should be avoided. Gold is also becoming more in vogue, as some see similarities to the 1970's and/or Weimar Germany.
Re: Trump is the kind of person who would sign an EO to...
I suspect gold wont be banned, rather just the taxes being raised to excessive/punitive levels that as good as make it banned.
Others may very well raise dividend withholding taxes as part of tariffs reciprocation to punitive tax levels. France has done that before with 75% withholding taxes applied to shareholders in 'unfriendly' countries. Capital controls are also inclined to be imposed under such circumstances. Fundamentally negatives all round for everyone, both Americans and others, with higher taxes/costs and greater controls/restrictions.
Under such circumstances perhaps a asset allocation comprised of in-hand gold/silver, hard dollars (cash in hand) and bitcoin - and turning pirate (non disclosure of how much/where you're 'money' comes in from, is stored, spent). Illegal, but after all there's is a convicted criminal at the helm anyway.
Re: Trump is the kind of person who would sign an EO to...
Hal wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:37 pm Well if nothing else, I am thankful Trump has inspired me to read Bastiat.
<snip>
There is no country in the world where the law is kept more within its proper domain: the protection of every person's liberty and property. As a consequence of this, there appears to be no country in the world where the social order rests on a firmer foundation. But even in the United States, there are two issues—and only two—that have always endangered the public peace.
What are these two issues? They are slavery and tariffs. These are the only two issues where, contrary to the general spirit of the republic of the United States, law has assumed the character of a plunderer.
Slavery is a violation, by law, of liberty. The protective tariff is a violation, by law, of property.
Currently listening to this => https://mises.org/podcasts/audio-essays ... h-not-seen
Keep in mind that at the time Bastiat was writing, the tariff was the dominant (only?) source of revenue for the federal government. So it might be difficult to suss out his thoughts on tariffs particularly as opposed to taxes in general.