Don’t get distracted by Trump’s outlandish Cabinet picks
November 30th, 2024 | 
Author: 
I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: “Don't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picks” (Nov 25), and “'No one will win a trade war’, China says after Trump tariff threat” (Nov 26).
As everyone knows, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will return to power on January 20, 2025.
Trump has dismissed quite a number of his former cabinet members and many top political appointees during his first term of 45th presidency. For examples, Secretary of State, Rex Wayne Tillerson resigned under pressure during the second year of Trump’s administration(13 Mar 2018), and Secretary of Defense, Jim Mattis resigned for protest also during the second year of Trump’s administration.
This fully shows that Trump is a president who is not easy to get along with. He has a weird, strange and unpredictable personality, with an elusive mind, and "doesn’t play his cards according to the usual rules".
On the other hand, Trump is indeed a shrewd, very calculating, and out-and-out businessman. All the decisions he makes are based on the premise of profit. He gave all his political opponents and many American voters the impression of never admitting defeat and never giving up.
In Trump’s second administration, he is prioritizing his loyalists for top jobs. Most of the cabinet members Trump 2.0 wants to appoint are from controversial backgrounds and have a distinctly hawkish stance.
For examples, Trump named Florida Senator Marco Rubio, to be Secretary of State. He is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran. Trump also named pro-tariff billionaire Scott Bessent for Treasury Secretary, Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been recruited by Trump to be director of national intelligence, Pete Hegseth has been tapped to be the Defense Secretary (he lacks senior military and national security experience), Pam Bondi has been named by Trump to be Attorney General, Trump also appoints Elise Stefanik to be the Ambassador to the United Nations (one of Trump's staunchest defenders during his first impeachment), Matthew Whitaker is named as Ambassador to NATO (Whitaker faced questions about his past business dealings, including his ties to an invention-promotion company that was accused of misleading consumers).
Looking at Trump's appointment alone, it is clear that he wants to carry out and accomplish the following tasks and deliver his presidential campaign promises in his second term presidency: -
A. On domestic issues
a) Trump will attack the mounting U.S. national debt and slash government programs and other spending.
b) Trump will adopt fiscal policy to facilitate the implementation of tightened and eased monetary policy so that to curb inflation, while also reducing financial stability risks issues (as according to Trading Economics.com annual inflation rate in the United States accelerated to 2.6% in October 2024, up from 2.4% in September)。
c) Trump has vowed to dismantle the liberal "deep state" and his political opponents and personal vendettas. For example, getting rid of “woke” generals/military personnel.
d) On Nov 18, U.S. time, U.S. President-elect Trump confirmed on social media platforms that he would mobilize U.S. troops to expel illegal immigrants from the United States by declaring a national emergency.
e) Trump wants to remove unnecessary regulatory measures and allow the U.S. economy to regain its vitality.
f) Trump emphasizes the need for deregulation of the high-tech sector. For example, Trump argues that Biden's Executive Order on the Safe and Secure Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence impedes the development of AI in the United States and it should be repealed.
g) Trump suggests that regulation of the crypto industry should be deregulated.
h) Trump is likely to use tax cuts to motivate people to create value.
i) Trump believes that the United States is rich in natural resources, so it should try to extract and use oil and gas to the fullest.
j) Trump believes that the current infrastructure in the United States is seriously aging and difficult to adapt to the needs of development, so he recommends large-scale infrastructure activities to modernize
American cities and infrastructure.
B. On foreign strategists and policies
a) Trump insists to Implement trade protectionist policies and impose high tariffs on imported goods.
For example, Trump pledges 25% tariffs on the United States’ three largest trading partners - Canada, Mexico and China.
b) On June 1, 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the Paris Agreement. The move made the United States one of three countries opposing global efforts to combat climate change, drawing strong condemnation from the international community. Would Trump do it again in his second term of presidency?
c) Trump's strategic competition with China, especially in the fields of human rights, security, economy, science and technology, as well as Taiwan issues are deserved great attention.
d) It will be interesting to see how Trump will effectively handle the peace talks of the Russia-Ukraine war and reach a ceasefire agreement to end this brutal three-year war.
e) How Trump responds to and handles the Israeli-Hamas and Israeli-Lebanese wars and ensures that the crisis of the Middle East conflict does not expand will be a great test of his wisdom.
for) Will Trump continue his "America First" policy of the past, focusing on nationalist foreign policy objectives while imposing political and economic pressure on most international adversaries, while strengthening ties with traditional allies? This is something we need to keep an eye on!
Trump's business model of closed trade and high tariffs will ultimately harm the interests of American consumers. The price of imported products from the global market will soar, which will undoubtedly affect the income of the middle and lower class people in the United States and further push up inflation. All in all, this is an unwise plan to harm others and not to benefit oneself, and in the end it will hurt both sides.
Therefore, Trump should consider how to cooperate with other countries in various fields to seek development and live in peace to create a win-win situation, rather than blindly adopting confrontation and containing the development of other countries.
Teo Kueh Liang (Mr)
Posted in 
The USA presidential election is a mockery to democracy.
Immediately after the election result is known, the supporters of the rival party protested with very big signs saying the president elected is not their president.
WOA! They spent so much on it with results they couldn’t accept!
High time to do away with the present system and adopt a better one.
Looking around, obviously India is a good example to follow. The PM they elected is someone who truly has the capability to get things done for India.
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Trump said he will only recognise 2 genders, Male and Female.
https://tinyurl.com/2hxf3a39
On this point alone, I will support him.
Trump also said he will increase tariff on China produce.
On this point too, I will support him.
Why? Because China is out to destroy SG survival by building new sea port.
Watch this video at time frame 4 min onwards.
https://youtu.be/P1sa9RTo07U
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China help Cambodia to build a canal, diverting water from Vietnam Mekong Delta region.
https://www.cfr.org/blog/why-china-investing-17-billion-canal-cambodia
The impact of this is Viet farmer livelihood will be badly affected as their land depend on Mekong river for irrigation.
If China succeeded to build new sea port to bypass Singapore port, we will be fu*ked good and proper.
Chinese Chauvinistic Pi or anyone who work with foreign power to ruin Singapore must be arrested, charged and thrown into jail for good.
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Some folks talk c**k.
Why blame China for sea-port?
If not China,there will be X,Y and Z country ipening seaport to divert business away from Sg.
Competition is inevitable but it must be fair.
The worst is for ANY govt to put in place policies that JEOPARDISE its own people’s interests such as daft “FT policiy” that is recklessly carried our to the disadvantage of citizens.
No doubt,Trump is roping his own cronies,so is it here in $inkapoor.
Why so good at cowpehing and kaypohing others but keep quiet on own country’s issues.
Where is the integrity and sincerity?
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You think Sg is the world hegemon? Nobody is allowed to compete with us? As the Artic route opens, Sg will send its navy and F35 to block it?
Stupid, arrogant, and pretending to be patriotic. You are trying to create more enemies for Sg.
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Well said!
The ask-hold also claps whole heartedly when the crazy man increases tariffs on China goods exported to the United States. Little did this ask-hold know that this will heighten the inflationary pressure globally, everyone residing in the tiny island will be affected through and through.
A very big idiotic ask-hold!
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Fair? You said Fair? Hahahaha.
Watch..answer me. Is this what you call FAIR?
Chinese steal my IP, then make the same thing as me to screw my business.
https://tinyurl.com/muxkvz46
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You Chinese Chauvinistic Pi are like the White Supremacy KKK, the Nazis, the Zionist or Taliban. They hallucinate that they are super being and above others.
These group are the cancer of society and must be put in their place.
Zionist explain
https://tinyurl.com/3tdcm8en
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Ah … hahaha
so you Opposition admit that Singapore high COL is due to the trade war and nothing to do with our great PAP.
Thanks. Good of you to tell the truth as our great PAP had always said it.
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This is the interpretation by a person with brain which has many vital parts missing!
Any one with a sound mind will not interpret the issue this way.
This person always boast about his affiliation with the current ruling party.
If the current ruling party’s efforts to attract talents could only get people of this caliber, it is a very serious crisis awaiting not only for the current ruling party, but also for the country as well.
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With talent like me around, there will be one less cannon fodder for US and China to make use of and then dump.
You should worry about your kind of Opposition who are clear cannon fodder for In God We Tru$t America/CIA/NED. To be dumped after use like stupid Hong Kees Black Shirt violent rioters.
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@ The ask-hold also claps whole heartedly when the crazy man increases tariffs on China goods exported to the United States.
Why say like that ?
EU, Britain, Turkey, Russia, India, Indonesia, Vietnam also impose tariffs.
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How can you forget Singapore?
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Incik, kau dari mana?apa kau chacap?
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Yes I did miss certain countries.
E.g. Saudi Arabia
https://www.argaam.com/en/article/articledetail/id/1719102
May not exactly be a bad thing. If China exports dependent on SEA countries, then we can press down prices 压价杀价. 给钱的大 tio boh.
Like the Value shop selling China’s 石墨稀 pillows only at 5 sgd per unit. I remember when the prcs rent the red box outside shops few years ago and sold the pillows . Initial Selling price was 200 sgd. Somemore the current Value ones have plastic packaging with imprints 全国统一价 人民币1280. You people can try.
Then again is it a failed quality ones or 流嘢 ? i dont know lah. Hopefully its not a 烂货 that offers toxic instead.
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Dia bercakap ayam.
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@ Atan
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/which-countries-are-putting-tariffs-on-chinas-tech/#google_vignette
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@ Yeosmia
Not exactly sure which part are you criticisng.
I guess you dont know biz or are you really a saint or perhaps you dont know how to 杀价 ?
So i sell my hdb to you say 500K instead of negotiating for some discount you up the offer at 1 million. Maybe 2 millions. If really like that i confirm kiss your feets. I even publicise over the newspaper what a good philanthropist you are.
Please dont act lah. Nobody will buy it that you wont press prices. Wet Market aunties are way above you.
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Apa ni?
Tak boleh cacap lagi ?
Seorang yang otak udang?
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Nothing more to say. Just sit back and observe. Latest. 巴铁 somemore.
https://m.163.com/dy/article/JJMJ3R5L055651K3.html?spss=adap_pc
突发！巴基斯坦宣布对中国产品加征30.17%关税！
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Another misinformation.
If you are paid for this, you are pitiful. If you are not, that’s also very pitiful.
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Coming from you, not surprising. What can i say ?
All great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
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You are a follower of Chinese culture.
PAP mandate strong:
December 17, 2024 at 7:08 pm (Quote)
@ Shittyzens or CITIZENS?:
Well if you are pro china fans, according to Chinese culture.
吃的苦中苦, 方为人上人.
天将降大任于是人也，必先苦其心志，劳其筋骨，饿其体肤，空乏其身，行拂乱其所为.
Will you denounce it ?
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As long as Trump keeps his outlandishhar-style,nothing change.
U$A will be outlandish as ever!
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As long as Trump keeps his outlandishhar-style,nothing change.
U$A will be outlandish as ever!
Trump same as KIM JONG-UN.
Both outlandish hair-styles.
So,NK remains outlandish as is U$A.
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Trump pardon 1500, his supporters who got prosecuted/persecuted by Biden.
Damn, if I were President, I would also immediately pardon many, some posthumously. And follow the Qing emperors in opening coffins and flogging dead people. And open investigations, and confiscate entire families. Sorry, got carried away by dreams of absolute power. Truth is, I don’t qualify, and POTUS is not that powerful at home.
POTUS like foreign works because that power is intoxicating. At home, their hands and legs are tied.
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Trump loves Tariff.
He already impose 25 pct tariff on both Mexico and Canada starting February.
Why these 2 closest neighbours?
Just to test ground.
Trump is a shrewd businessman.
Soon,he will also impose tariff on others especially China.
By starting with Mexico and Canada,it would make it easier to impose tariff on China subsequently.
INFLATION WILL START TO RISE IF TRUMP IMPOSE MORE TARIFFS IN 2025.
“MADE IN USA” will only bring about higher cost of production via higher wages for american workers for sure.
With expected retaliation from the affected countries,there will be spuralling rise in import prices and a consequential escalation in global inflation.
Trump must think trice about his love for TARIFF.
Tic for tac is not “unifying” even as Trumo says he aims to be unifier and peac-maker?
Trump is trumping dangerously.
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Trump got tied up at home. Not allowed to rule by whims.
A federal judge in Seattle has issued a two-week suspension of President Donald Trump’s executive order to restrict birthright citizenship. The move was “blatantly unconstitutional,” Judge John Coughenour said.
The order, signed by Trump immediately after taking office on January 20, sought to deny citizenship to children born in the United States if neither parent is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident.
The decree was met with widespread backlash from Democrats and human rights campaigners. More than 20 Democratic-led states along with the District of Columbia and the city of San Francisco filed lawsuits in Boston and Seattle, arguing that Trump had violated the US Constitution. Immigrant and civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have filed a lawsuit in New Hampshire.
The restraining order sought by Arizona, Illinois, Oregon and Washington was the first such lawsuit to get a hearing before a judge. The ruling applies nationwide, however.
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Sooner or later the USA will demand that $inkapore become an overseas ‘protectorate’ and the island give up its land to house American troops, military equipment and bases for ‘protection’. We must also accept the LGBTQ as the new truth in society. Then watch the island go downhill even more. Just ask the Philippines, Hawaii and Costa Rica have fared under Americanism. $tupid $heeple never learn.
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The defence secretary selected by trump this time primarily is to get rid of the “woke “ generals in the United States military.
This defence secretary, besides a few years in the military service as very junior soldier, has no experience in administration of large and complex military organisations. He did not even know a single country in ASEAN. The worries now are he might inadvertently trigger off third world war.
Sinkie land is safe, under the watchful eyes of our young PM.
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Trump said Canada would not even exist without US subsidies and business cooperation, and therefore should be 51st. Singapore could not exist without US, and should be 52nd.
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Trump wants to kick Palestinians out of Gaza.
US President Donald Trump has suggested that neighboring Arab countries should take in Palestinian refugees and “clean out” the embattled Gaza Strip.
GENOCIDE.
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It’s becoming clearer what Trump want, and it will lead to bigger wars
Trump want
Gaza. Palestinians are to be moved out.
Greenland. There are only 60,000 natives there.
Canada.
Mexico.
Panama.
UK.
Internally, he could not MAGA. He’s adding countries to US.
More to come.
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Trump said he wants to be a mediator,a peace-maker.
So far,his actions like tariffs,etc seem to be like a shit-stirrer.
First,Make America Great Again.
Now,Trump wants to MAKE BITCOIN GREAT AGAIN.
BITCOIN WILL BECOME BITE-coin sooner than most think.
As if LEHMAN MINI-bombs were too minute.
Now,Trump is going to bomb the financial world with Bitcoin Juggernaut$.
Better buy property in $in City than BITCOIN.Much less risky.
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Trump placed the blame for the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict on his predecessor, Joe Biden, reiterating his claim that the war would never have erupted if he had remained in office. According to Trump, Biden’s statements about Kiev potentially joining NATO were a critical provocation that had directly contributed to the conflict.
Biden’s NATO promise to Ukraine provoked conflict – Trump READ MORE: Biden’s NATO promise to Ukraine provoked conflict – Trump
“I don’t see any way that a country in Russia’s position could allow them, just in their position, could allow them to join NATO. I don’t see that happening,” the US president said on Thursday.
“And long before President [Vladimir] Putin, Russia was very strong on the fact. I believe that’s the reason the war started, because Biden went out and said that they could join NATO, and he shouldn’t have said that,” Trump asserted.
USA has accepted blame for the Ukraine war. Where are those great commenters who blame Russia?
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Biden gave out money freely, no need for loan agreement, but of course with demand that Ukrainians die.
Trump now demands money back, in whatever minerals he want, including interest.
Now EU will join in with their demands.
Ukraine will have nothing left.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is free to visit Germany without fear of being detained under an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the country’s presumed next chancellor, has said.
ICC should disappear.
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The government has been hiding information from people for decades. Not only in America.
Trump’s declassification effort extends beyond Epstein’s case. A newly established task force, led by Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, aims to release documents related to a wide range of high-profile topics, including the 9/11 attacks, the origins of COVID-19, UFOs, and the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and civil rights leader Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.
“The federal government has been hiding information from Americans for decades,” Luna said in a statement earlier this month. “It is time to give Americans the answers they deserve.”
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