It looks like the Trump administration wants to project calm and control on the world stage again. The trade tour through Asia has been a whole lot of handshakes, smiles, and press releases about “progress.” Scott Bessent went on the Sunday shows to talk about the framework for a new China deal that could be announced when Trump and Xi meet at APEC in Korea. It’s clear what the White House wants: headlines about diplomacy, not chaos. This is the “we blow things up, then we rebuild” phase of the administration. They want everyone to believe that trade disruption isn’t recklessness, it’s strategy.
Bessent made a point to mention Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand — all countries that have apparently signed letters of agreement or are close to doing so. The administration’s message is that this new era of trade is moving faster and cleaner than anything that came before it. It’s a talking point, sure, but it’s a powerful one if it sticks. Especially after a year of headlines about tariffs, boycotts, and crumbling relationships. Trump’s people want to turn that into proof that they know how to break and rebuild the system better than anyone else.
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