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Who are they kidding?

That was what I was thinking when I got the following news articles. First there was ‘Rubio says US and Europe ‘belong together’ despite tensions’ (at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2lrdq47149o), which is astounding as Rubio’s administration wanted to court someones else’s partner, fuck that partner and take whatever they could get (which is my version of the state of affairs) and I am pretty certain all Danes see it in the same way. So when we get “The US secretary of state told the Munich Security Conference: “We do not seek to separate, but to revitalise an old friendship and renew the greatest civilisation in human history.”

He criticised European immigration, trade and climate policies, but the overall tenor of the closely-watched speech was markedly different to Vice-President JD Vance’s at the same event last year, during which he scolded continental leaders.” I personally see the setting of “the overall tenor of the closely-watched speech was markedly different to Vice-President JD Vance” is (as I personally see it) set in two ways. The first way is that America is now ‘scared’ that like Canada, the EU will tighten trade settings with China and that ends a few things right there and right quick. The second one is that they are also worried that cash will run out before this administration leaves the White House, something that is becoming a real fear for them. They make claims on the ‘massive’ wins their economy is making, but the American people aren’t seeing that. Moreover, big tech just shed 165,000 people and at least 127,000 were let go in 2025. All these people need jobs and these jobs aren’t coming (back) and that is before you take into account what damage the hospitality is showing. The larger settings here are numerous ways that certain people aren’t being made aware of. Al Jazeera gives us ‘The US economy seems strong after a year of Trump, but is it really?’ (at https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/1/19/the-us-economy-seems-strong-after-a-year-of-trump-but-is-it-really#) where we see “experts say, is that the stock market boom has helped to mask deeper underlying problems in the economy.” As well as “despite the impressive GDP numbers, that growth is not being accompanied by an increase in hiring. While hospitality and healthcare added workers last year, retail, manufacturing and construction – sectors that rely heavily on migrants – all shed jobs.” So basically these tech companies are doing decently well because they shed 127,000 jobs. Costs down, profits up. That is how I see it. And that is the preamble of a brain-drain, because the people need jobs and they will work for whomever pays them. And these so called ‘high potential workers’ will accept a job at ADNOC (or Aramco) to provide for their families, as such the brain-drain begins and they are nervous, because the Europeans are in pretty much the same setting and it is an employers market now. They will take the best for the jobs (as well as a few other reasons) and at that point the people will go where they are needed. And this is merely an example using two corporations. 

The second article was also from the BBC (at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjrq2r9y278o) where we see ‘‘Trump will be gone in three years’: Top Democrats try to reassure Europe’ and as I see it, it is too late for that. They elected a president that made a mess of things, he is accused of appeasing Russia and has tried to take their lands and threaten them. There is something seriously wrong in the areas of the Unites States of America. So whilst they hear ““If there’s nothing else I can communicate today,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said at a conference event on Friday, “Donald Trump is temporary. He’ll be gone in three years.”” 

And there is the realisation that in three years there might not be a United States of America left. The mess is too intense, the chaos is unabating and the American administration mess with their ICE and other settings like the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issues, the VISA integrity issues, the alleged data phishing settings and that is merely the first setting. It will take the best part of a decade to optionally win back Europe and the Commonwealth and they don’t have that kind of time. They too have their issues and together it might have worked out. With this administration the Commonwealth and the EU are seeing a non-option in play and that is the setting China has been waiting for. When China has the ear of the EU and the Commonwealth there is every chance that it will dump whatever bonds of the US treasury it has left and push the USA over the edge. That is an actual real fear that Wall Street has and the sugar coated messages does not alleviate that fear (like the Disney Credit Card). So these two settings are in the back of the minds of the shakers of the EU and the Commonwealth. So whilst we get ““The reason we’re here is to provide reassurance that we understand how important our European allies are,” Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said.” Their nation has elected a president who does not feel that way and that is the reality for the EU and the Commonwealth for at least three more years. A setting that seems to be lost on these people, or they might not be able to fix that problem. So after the first failed attempt to impeach him, he was convicted of 34 felony counts, he was reelected and makes a bigger mess of things and there is nothing the other side can seemingly do. As such the EU and the Commonwealth have had enough of that and they are looking for other options and in the back there is China looking at what is in it for them. And as I personally see it, China is merely one slam-dunk away from total victory. If the setting of “The EU faces a significant trade deficit, which exceeded €300 billion in 2024, prompting calls for more balanced trade.” I reckon that if China finds a solution when that deficit is lessened by at least €250 billion, the EU will consider that move and it will not be too costly for China either. Because the open door will give rather large opportunities and should their solutions be brought to the Middle East and the EU, China will be getting the better part of the deal, whilst diminishing the current footprint the USA has on these two regions. A setting that most fear, or they are in dubio because of what the USA ‘spouts’ (as the term goes) but the larger setting is out in the open and the actions of this President aren’t helping anyone, least of all the people of the United States and as I see it, should PM Mark Carney take the lead and set the trades in a prosperous setting towards the EU (and Canada of course) The Republicans and the United Stated are truly done for. Consider this nightmare, Microsoft out, LibreOffice and Tencent technology in. That could be a 20-40 billion a year hit to Microsoft and connected services. Then we get American Tower Corporation out and Huawei in. That is not a given, but the likelihood of that happening becomes more and more realistic, the actions of this America Administration is making this so and the American Tower Corporation is set to 149,000 communications sites and nearly 107,000 properties internationally. Now this will not go in a day, or even a year, but when these two, merely these two corporations shed 10%-20% revenue. It is my believe that the US Debt will strangle America within 2-3 years. That is the one setting no one is looking at and now that China has a dialogue with PM Mark Carney and Ursula von der Leyen that setting becomes as real as it can be. The question is how ready is China to take that lead, or perhaps they want to wait a year for the setting of the USA to become almost desperate, because there is only so much the USA can hide in papers and they are running out of space. 

Am I a doom speaker? I am speculating to a larger extent, but who knew that these two companies could throttle the USA? Who saw the Microsoft v OpenAI break up coming? Just simple questions that should be on the forefront of many minds and the problem is that the media is no longer to be trusted, it goes against their need for the digital dollar. The clickbait hype that too many media are focussing on. So where is the real news? Who had heard of the American Tower Corporation? Simple questions really. 

So have a great day and consider that Coffee with cream and sugar is written as “加奶油和糖的咖啡” till next time.

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The dress is wrong

It seems correct to use this expression when this is a follow up to ‘All Dressed up’ which you can find (at https://lawlordtobe.com/2025/05/31/all-dressed-up/) in my blog and written a little over 3 weeks ago. I saw the impending fallout and now there is too much to ignore. You see, we now see (less than an hour ago) a story from Travel and Tour world giving us (at https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/trumps-impact-on-u-s-tourism-a-crisis-thats-becoming-hard-to-ignore/) ‘Trump’s Impact on U.S. Tourism: A Crisis That’s Becoming Hard to Ignore’ and it has off springs in this matter. You see as we are given “For years, the United States has been a top destination for international travelers, drawing millions from across the globe, particularly from countries like Germany, the U.K., and Canada. However, since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, a noticeable decline in international tourists has emerged, signaling the onset of what could be a long-term tourism crisis. As the U.S. struggles to regain its footing as a global tourism hub, several regions across the country are starting to feel the economic impact.” This statement is putting it mildly. One source even gives us “The United States, once the undisputed leader in global tourism, is witnessing a seismic shift in traveler preferences. Over the past eight years, a cocktail of restrictive visa policies, trade wars, and polarizing rhetoric has driven a 9% annual decline in international arrivals since 2017. This exodus of tourists—projected to cost the U.S. economy $22 billion in 2025—has created a rare opportunity for investors to capitalize on emerging tourism hotspots in competitor nations.” With the limelight caught with “a rare opportunity for investors to capitalize on emerging tourism hotspots in competitor nations” and the UAE and Saudi Arabia will be profiting from this setting. As will Japan, China and Europe. In an age where America is bleeding interest over a debt of 36 trillion, a loss of 22 billion will be felt through and through. Oh, and that 500 billion investment that is called Stargate (an odd thing to do, name an IT project off an Sci-fi tV series that is founded on fantasy) is currently in the running to hit a few snags and that will have a longer lasting effect than anyone can gather. As such 2026/2027 will likely be the last year that the world speak of the United States of America. As soon as it is possible California will try to be the bear republic (something to do with the flag) and the Washington State will likely move mountains to become part of Canada. In that setting as America’s social settings will collapse the American people will feel and see themselves and all their neighbors decline in a way America hasn’t seen since the great depression and this time it will be worse. 

And we get more “Stricter visa screenings, prolonged wait times, and high-profile detentions (e.g., a British tourist held for 12 days in 2024) have fueled fear among travelers. Canadian land crossings, once bustling, now see 44% fewer vehicles due to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. Meanwhile, 36% of Canadians who planned U.S. trips in 2025 canceled them, citing safety concerns.” This is not a simple setting. It is fueling fear that America is no longer the space to be and last week Australians were given ‘Australian tourist’s warning after being deported from US in ‘traumatic’ ordeal’ and it isn’t a nice setting (source: news.com.au) “Mr Kitchen said he had done a “superficial clean” to remove any potential red flags a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer may “uncover with three minutes of glancing”. But he did not prepare for CBP to have already looked at his online presence before he even made it to the long customs queue at LAX.” I would personally view this as a setting would only see in books, or FSB documentation. American policy is pushing tourism away. Which is fine by me, but I reckon that Universal will gain that back from tourists (what tourists?) They just invested 8 billion in their new Epic Theme park and it looks amazing. There is just one catch it needs people and YouTube showed you all yesterday a theme park absent of visitors. The most beautiful theme part America has ever seen, pretty much perfect in every way is seeing no people and queues for many rides that are seemingly less than 15 minutes. You think the economy of that setting can recover? The people will be much happier visiting Yas island in Abu Dhabi with 5 parks right there (and a mall that is amazing to behold) with a train connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai in 35 minutes, I reckon that 2026 and 2027 the UAE will become the place to be which amounts to not only Europeans and Asians seeking a new holiday spot, but many Americans will join that queue in a heartbeat.

So as we are given “As the U.S. tourism industry suffers from a reduction in international visitors, the impact on local economies is becoming increasingly evident. For cities and regions that rely heavily on tourism dollars, the decline in foreign visitors means fewer hotel bookings, reduced spending in restaurants and shops, and a general downturn in the hospitality and entertainment sectors.” As such America created a place for themselves where no one wants to be. Not even Americans. And when that shift is completed, how will America pay for the annual interest of $1,620,000,000,000 because that is what 4.05% interest looks like and when the essential services collapse, the fallout will be EPIC (not like the empty theme park) and that is something the media was eager to hide as they have advertisement quota to fill. The problem is that this is short sighted as American businesses are about to no longer afford those. So where to next? China? Isn’t that what this American Administration was eager to prevent? 

And I only mentioned Universal. So how about Disney? Their largest success is about to become Disney Abu Dhabi (earliest in 2027). A side I didn’t consider in my initial calculations was given to me by Invest. They give us “Anti-immigrant policies and LGBTQ+ restrictions (e.g., biological sex mandates on visas) have alienated key markets. Western Europe’s unfavorable view of the U.S. hit record highs in 2025, with 50% of Britons and Germans now avoiding U.S. vacations.” I get that this would have an impact, but 50% britons and Germans was a little more then expected. I heard a saying in 1999. “First you get along then you go along” I personally see saw it as a BS expression. Something the greed driven say to get what they want. I never expected to see it in this light, I never did. But the signs are unmistakable. California is supposed to be the richest state, its economic offset is in the top 10 globally, now we get “A major factor is the projected 9.2% drop in international visitors” that is massive. Hotels and restaurants will see the hurt. Established places will likely survive, the rest becomes a debate for speculation. And if revenue goes down a mere 5% for the 10% loss of visitors, as I personally (speculatively) see it, we will see a 4%-5% of people losing their jobs. In a state the size of California that is big. A source stated “Los Angeles is experiencing a significant drop in tourism, particularly from Canada and Mexico, with some areas reporting a 25-30% decline in international visitors” and California is just starting to repair the fire damage it has had. As such the movie industry is likely to find places in Canada (like Vancouver) to see their productions get through and that is not all. A massive rewiring of streaming services might be required all these elements come with costs and in America that might be tax deductible, yet that puts the America administration is a massive bind. When revenue falls and taxable revenue falls too, the setting becomes a bit of a problem, especially when 1.6 trillion is due at end of every fiscal year. I wonder if the orchestrators of this revenue venue had seen this through. 

So whilst the theme part lovers are pushing for Tokyo and Abu Dhabi as their next destination, where does that leave America? They could ask Canada to help out, but that bridge was already burned. The penguins on McDonald Island don’t care and they will heartily repeat the message dolphins gave us, as such “So long and thanks for all the fish”

A lovely Douglas Adams setting, so as America is dragging its feet against Iran and the people of this world. They might be losing tourists now, but in a short time they are also losing allies and even people ready to listen to them. One leads to the other and as America has less and less money to spare, the people who were ready to listen to them will turn their ears to China and the Arabic nations. In less then three decades they lost what took more than a century to build. And Wall Street? Well, they will just move to London, Dubai, Tokyo and Paris. Although, when the dollar goes, the sight of Tokyo might become mighty grim soon enough.

Have a great day. 

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