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Going back to the original premise of the thread 'Could Trump's plan fail in a spectacular fashion': - it does seem counter-intuitive to pick trade fights with so many of your overseas trading partners (Canada, Mexico, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, etc.) - it is bewildering that Trump fails to recognise that imposing tariffs on the imported products that his citizens buy will make them more expensive - it is concerning that he states that he will get the strategically-significant Greenland 'one way or another', and Canada as the 51st state - it is also concerning that he feels he can acquire control of the Panama canal again - my greatest concern - if the above wasn't enough - is that he has been having convivial conversations with Putin, a despot and war criminal, which Trump hopes will lead to future cooperation between the two countries and Russia's return to the G7. I don't think that was on the manifesto that the US public voted for. Trump's cabinet appointments were 'interesting'. Basically, inexperienced and unfit 'yes men' (and women). Will the plan fail in a spectacular fashion. Of course! Common sense ultimately prevails - how could it not?

1. If I am correct and it does last a minimum of 16 years, that won't be regarded as healthy. 2. The Dow will fall much more than 15,000 points. 3. I think everyone will have Trump's name on it.

I'm not sure there's enough material for a separate thread because I'd be the first to suggest that it's all speculation at this point, however derived. Time will tell. As to your point about Trump not having the ability to have done all this damage himself, I remember there was the QAnon movement back in his first term, and now there's talk of his association with Project 2025, which calls for more authoritarian rule, apparently. Some allege that he's the 'useful idiot' frontman for the whole show. Perhaps that's the case. Whilst all the rest is interesting, my prime objective is to protect my family's future and to comfortably survive what is about to come round the corner. If I can at least make people think twice about their own positions, it would be a bonus.

I respect your opinion, even if we disagree. However, we live in very febrile times so I just hope you're like Berkshire Hathaway and have turned a lot of your positions into a cash pile so you're not dragged down when the plug is pulled on the markets.

I've never come across a Cassandra analysis, but I did have a colleague called Cassandra once. She wasn't into the markets though... Keep your money: you appear to be still bullish - you're going to need it.

Let me be clearer. It won't be a correction - it will be a global recession. This one will make 1929 look like a blip. As the average age of members on this forum is quite high, I sincerely hope you are still around to buy at the bottom, when it occurs. The bottom will be at least 16 years away.

I can see how my sentiments might be able to be interpreted a different way to that intended. I apologise for any lack of clarity. Markets act independently because neither Trump nor anyone else can directly control them. Of course they are influenced by his actions.

Oops, I think you've just let the cat out of the bag... I agree with your thinking, but I wasn't going to be too specific about it. All will soon become clear, regardless. p.s. It is refreshing to be part of an intelligent discussion here on Aseannow.

So, to be clear, disagreement with one's leaders and independent thinking are not the traits of a true American...?

I'm sure it must be very sad for you, as an intelligent American, to be in a position to feel this way. As you know, the stock markets act independently of anything Trump can do, and I expect they will determine his fate.

The markets are overdue a correction - in simple terms, this is based on time. Regarding your reference to the Biden administration, Biden was in the right place at the right time and benefitted from the stock market rises. Also, in contrast to his successor, he didn't do anything too radical to upset the markets. Markets provide liquidity and like order and stability in which to operate normally - Trump brings neither and his chaotic actions are the catalyst that has caused this change of sentiment in the markets. Unfortunately, stock market declines can also be far from orderly, panicking the weak into selling and creating a snowball effect. Watch this space. Ironically, countless US citizens have self-managed pension funds, i.e. their own personal stock portfolio... Hopefully, impeachment can't come soon enough.

I have news for you @Yagoda, @Cameroni and anyone else who thinks the US stock market movements are just a small correction. I am well-versed in stock markets and stock market history. The markets are long overdue a correction. This time, the 'correction' will be deeper and longer than anyone might imagine. You don't know me from Adam, but my advice would be to get out while you can. I won't be offended if you don't but you will remember my words for a very long time. As a single indication of what I believe, Morgan Stanley recently stated that the S&P500 could drop to 5,500 by the summer and then recover to 6,500 by the end of the year. Well, it went as low as 5,528 yesterday. Let's see where it is at the end of this month, let alone summer....

I agree but the gas being sold to Asia is being sent in ships. This isn't economical. It will be many years before a pipeline is completed. In the meantime, Russia is burning off excess gas that can't find a home.

The outcome of the Ukraine invasion may well influence how many other countries wish to align with Russia. Senator John McCain once called Russia 'a petrol station masquerading as a country'. Europe is working as fast as it can to eliminate all Russian gas and oil imports so with this, and many other factors, Russia's future economic prospects don't look rosy.

... but not the half I would choose to be aligned with.

Jerry, with respect, that appears like confirmation bias.

I have news for you @Robert_Smith I have seen reports that you spend time watching stock markets and bitcoin prices. You may strive for more but I don't think it's coming. Naturally, you will be aware that the biggest fall on the US markets since 2022 occurred yesterday. I am well-versed in stock markets and stock market history. The markets are long overdue a correction. As such, the correction will be deeper and longer than anyone might imagine. You don't know me from Adam, but my advice would be to get out while you can. I won't be offended if you don't but you will remember my words for a very long time. As a single indication of what I believe, Morgan Stanley recently stated that the S&P500 could drop to 5,500 by the summer and then recover to 6,500 by the end of the year. Well, it's at 5,568 as I write. Let's see where it is at the end of this week and month, let alone summer....

Firstly, Thais respect wealth, although it might be culturally insensitive to build a 'mansion' in a village. They have no problem with someone being comfortable, so why should it be a problem for me? Secondly, it might be insensitive to directly flaunt wealth with lots of shiny new things. There are more subtle - and sensitive - ways to enjoy life. Thirdly, and most importantly, I'd rather live in a community of genuine Thais who look out for each other and always rally round to help each other, as we do them; as a result, crime is non-existent here. I expect these characteristics are not so prevalent in some of the coastal cities.

It reminds me of the canine world. It is known that dogs will do anything to get attention from their owners - it's called strokes. Good owners do stroke their dogs, of course. Bad owners beat their dogs, but the dogs still come back for more because it is attention from a human. To an animal psychologist both of these actions are 'strokes'. It appears that Bob seeks attention, however it can be found, and controversial statements are easier for a damaged personality. If he is taking the pee, it's a unique way of doing it. Nope, it ain't that clever. He's lonely, probably friendless, and definitely not rich (successful people don't have his characteristics - unless he obtained the money in a nefarious way). Only a masochist would visit this forum so often and consistently fail to be courteous to the members: if it was a private club he would have had his membership revoked a long time ago. I would really like 'Bob' (or whatever his real name is) to think about his approach and wonder what he is achieving. Maybe he's the last one to get the joke.

It's a good question. 'Bob' is a tormented soul, and it would be good for everyone -primarily him - if he was to emerge from the dark side and rebuild his character. Maybe he is a lost cause and he is best left being laughed at. It's his choice.

We both know that isn't true. I'm sure an imaginative man such as yourself could disprove me if he wished to, but you can't. I used to dream of flying my own aircraft, so I learned to fly and bought my own aircraft, which I used to fly all around Europe. If you wish to be tedious, I can provide evidence of my dreams. Where's your evidence?

Slightly off topic... @Robert_Smith As we've worked out that you a delusional fantasist who pretends to have lots of money but doesn't, and brings incessant pessimism, disrespect and rudeness to this forum, what would it cost for you to agree NOT to post anymore...?

Au contraire... There is increasing credible information to suggest that Trump and Putin are closer than the western world would like, given Putin's proclivities for terminating any opposition. We don't know exactly what Putin has on Trump, but Trump is doing his usual distortion of the truth to help his own arguments in Russia's favour ('Ukraine started it', 'Zelenskyy's support is very low', 'He's a dictator', etc.). Zelenskyy is treading on a fine line when dealing with Trump but he acted responsibily for his country under extreme duress and the western world is supporting him. That's not a coincidence.

I'm guessing my comments didn't translate into Polish accurately.

Denial? I prefer understanding. I may not agree with, support or adopt new things that I become aware of, learn about and understand, but I find out enough to give me a valid opinion on the topic.