Trump Targets Annual 8% Defense Budget Cuts Through 2030

[Klatuu]

This will cause a kerfuffel. America loves its war machine. What does it mean for the POS Nation handouts?

White House eyes annual 8% cut to defense budget through 2030

The move could reduce defense spending projections by hundreds of billions of dollars over the next five years.

www.militarytimes.com

 

[Valcazar]

I'm surprised this hasn't gotten more comments.

 

[The Oracle]

This doesn't seem like a very Republican thing to do...

They are 34 trillion dollars in debt though...So there's that.

 

[seanzo]

They are functionally bankrupt and dedollarisation is going to start to bite soon. I'd expect closure of most, if not all, of their foreign military bases during that period

 

[Shaquille Oatmeal]

I'd expect closure of most, if not all, of their foreign military bases during that period

...and along with their discrediting and alienating themselves with their allies, they will weaken themselves from within.
Which is a good thing for the world.
For far too long they have been arm twisting the world and it is time we reduced dependence on the US for trade, security or anything else.

 

[DesRicardo]

I'm surprised this hasn't gotten more comments.

I'm not surprised at all.

 

[Klatuu]

The Great American Contraction

 

[DesRicardo]

They are functionally bankrupt and dedollarisation is going to start to bite soon. I'd expect closure of most, if not all, of their foreign military bases during that period

If they are functionally bankrupt and de-dollarization is going to start, why would they decrease military bases? It's the only thing keeping the ship afloat.

 

[seanzo]

...and along with their discrediting and alienating themselves with their allies, they will weaken themselves from within.
Which is a good thing for the world.
For far too long they have been arm twisting the world and it is time we reduced dependence on the US for trade, security or anything else.

Well just remember that nature abhors a vacuum and it's entirely possible that something worse will fill the void. Time will tell

 

[Shaquille Oatmeal]

Well just remember that nature abhors a vacuum and it's entirely possible that something worse will fill the void. Time will tell

They will.
There is China, India, Russia and EU.
None as powerful as the US but if they do start to fill in the space, they'd have to share.
Division of power is better than concentration of power. IMO.

 

[Dutch Oven]

...and along with their discrediting and alienating themselves with their allies, they will weaken themselves from within.
Which is a good thing for the world.
For far too long they have been arm twisting the world and it is time we reduced dependence on the US for trade, security or anything else.

You'd prefer to be a vassal of China? That's who would fill the void. Careful what you wish for.

 

[Shaquille Oatmeal]

You'd prefer to be a vassal of China? That's who would fill the void. Careful what you wish for.

Id prefer to not be a vassal at all.
Hence my comment that shared power is better than power that is concentrated in one.

 

[seanzo]

If they are functionally bankrupt and de-dollarization is going to start, why would they decrease military bases? It's the only thing keeping the ship afloat.

If you are functionally bankrupt that means you cannot afford the expense of having almost 200 military bases abroad. De-dollarization is going to cause horrible inflation which means the money they spend isn't going to go as far as they need it to in order to maintain said bases. The only thing that's keeping America afloat at the moment is the fact that BRICS has yet to switch to their own settlement systems and currency. Once that happens it's gg well played for the American Empire

 

[DesRicardo]

If you are functionally bankrupt that means you cannot afford the expense of having almost 200 military bases abroad. De-dollarization is going to cause horrible inflation which means the money they spend isn't going to go as far as they need it to in order to maintain said bases. The only thing that's keeping America afloat at the moment is the fact that BRICS has yet to switch to their own settlement systems and currency. Once that happens it's gg well played for the American Empire

Who would dare call out America to pay their debts?

lol, What good is BRICS if America can blow every member back into the stone ages?

 

[Dutch Oven]

Id prefer to not be a vassal at all.
Hence my comment that shared power is better than power that is concentrated in one.

We live in a country that doesn't have the economic clout to call the shots on its own, and we need to export to maintain our lifestyle (including our social safety net). To do that, we need trading partners and geopolitical allies. Now, tell me which trading partner and geopolitical ally would be BETTER than the US? I can't think of any.

You can dream of a world where all power is equally shared, but in reality it's shared according to clout.

Never tear down a building that can continue in service without being SURE you can build something better.

 

[Butler1000]

Guys, guys......

He also says he fully supports the House budget bill, which has a 100 billion INCREASE IN IT. He also hasn't discussed real cuts due to graft and corruption there due to EVERY failed audit.

Let's see what he signs.

 

[Shaquille Oatmeal]

Now, tell me which trading partner and geopolitical ally would be BETTER than the US? I can't think of any.

Well they don't seem to want to be an ally anymore and infact they seem to want to be Canada's enemy.
So we'd have to now form new alliances and stop putting all our eggs in one basket.
Diversify trade, form new bilateral relationships.
Yes, the US will still have the majority of power and clout for the foreseeable future, but if they continue on the path they are on, they will gradually weaken themselves and help countries like Russia and China fill the void.
It will happen naturally as they continue to piss off and alienate their friends.

 

[Butler1000]

You'd prefer to be a vassal of China? That's who would fill the void. Careful what you wish for.

The problem with this is....ask Iraq, Libya, now Ukraine and Canada whether the USA security promises are being kept.

No one wants to be a casual period. But the USA had a pretty good deal running with us, and a shit ton of mutual cooperation. That just got blown right up.

 

[Butler1000]

Well they don't seem to want to be an ally anymore and infact they seem to want to be Canada's enemy.
So we'd have to now form new alliances and stop putting all our eggs in one basket.
Diversify trade, form new bilateral relationships.
Yes, the US will still have the majority of power and clout for the foreseeable future, but if they continue on the path they are on, they will gradually weaken themselves and help countries like Russia and China fill the void.
It will happen naturally as they continue to piss off and alienate their friends.

Yup. It's going to get worse before it gets better.

 

[Dutch Oven]

Well they don't seem to want to be an ally anymore and infact they seem to want to be Canada's enemy.
So we'd have to now form new alliances and stop putting all our eggs in one basket.
Diversify trade, form new bilateral relationships.
Yes, the US will still have the majority of power and clout for the foreseeable future, but if they continue on the path they are on, they will gradually weaken themselves and help countries like Russia and China fill the void.
It will happen naturally as they continue to piss off and alienate their friends.

You seem intelligent, so I'm forced to conclude that you're not being honest in your assessment. The US is not trying to break our alliance. They are trying to get us to pull our weight on NATO spending and border security. Their positions on those issues are, in a word, reasonable. Why shouldn't we pull our weight?

You can yearn for a better relationship where we don't have to pull our own weight, but frankly the US, for all her imperfections, is the best looking girl at the dance.

Your admiration for diversification is superficial. Not all trading relationships are equal. You can't equate a trading partner in close transport proximity, over a well organized border, with relatively uncorrupt bureaucrats, police, and legal system compared to what most of world offers. Talk to business people who deal with China and hear about local corruption, payment difficulties, forced partnerships, and a legal system that is simply a sham in the event of disputes. These aspects simply aren't part of trade with the US.

Show me a better trading partner than the US and then we'll have something to talk about.

p.s. The most recent, and best, opportunity to open a significant new market happened when the Nord Stream 2 pipeline was taken off line. However, our Liberal government couldn't divorce themselves from Quebec politics to get LNG pipelines and terminals built to the Atlantic for sea transport to Europe. If we couldn't seize such an easy opportunity, how do you suppose we're going to develop the new trading relationships that you're dreaming of?

p.p.s. If we really want to end this talk of annexing Canada, all we need to do is tell Trump a lot more about Quebec!