AGF Logo
  • Home
  • Industry and Expert Views
  • Investing and Market Views
  • Capitol Insights
  • Personal Finance
  • Français
  • AGF.com
  • InstarAGF.com
Skip to content
AGF logo
Insights and Market Perspectives
  • Industry and Expert Views
  • Investing and Market Views
  • Capitol Insights
  • Personal Finance
  • Contributors
  • Français
  • Search
Search
Close
Trade War — Eyeing Plan B; The Politics of Gun Control

  • Industry and Expert Views

For Print Only Logo
Insights and Market Perspectives

Trade War — Eyeing Plan B; The Politics of Gun Control

Author: Greg Valliere

August 8, 2019

WITH THE U.S. AND CHINA HOPELESSLY DEADLOCKED on a wide range of crucial trade provisions, eternal optimists like us are asking: is there a Plan B that could cool the tariff war by resolving some issues and continuing talks in 2020 on others? Many officials in the Trump Administration would accept this scenario.

THE PRESIDENT HAS EXASPERATED HIS AIDES by calling all the shots himself, rejecting their advice; all but Peter Navarro urged him to refrain from last week’s new tariffs. But we’re hearing that Trump has been shaken by recent market volatility and is willing to consider a Plan B.

THE FALLBACK: The U.S. could declare a truce on new tariffs, agree to relax curbs on Huawei, and not enforce restrictions that come with the designation of China as a currency manipulator. In exchange, China would finally make huge purchases of U.S. agriculture and other products, would refrain from currency manipulation, and would pledge to open up parts of its economy to American businesses, such as financial services.

BUT PLAN B does not envision quick resolution of other issues, such as Chinese subsidies for state owned companies, technology transfers, thievery of U.S. intellectual property and the creation of a credible enforcement mechanism. Perhaps most disturbingly, there’s one looming wild card that could derail even a modest agreement: the threat that Beijing will move to crush the insurrection in Hong Kong.

BOTTOM LINE: The prospect of a face-saving truce and some modest agreements is the BEST case scenario, and that appears to be many weeks away; talks are still scheduled to resume in early September.

A TRULY COMPREHENSIVE DEAL is nowhere in sight, and neither is an end of the extraordinary market instability, which is likely to maintain downward pressure on interest rates, as investors seek a safe haven amid weakening economic growth, trade wars, and the deteriorating political climate in the U.K., which is lurching toward a messy Brexit.

* * * * *
THE POLITICS OF GUN CONTROL: What can you say about Donald Trump’s narcissistic visits to Dayton and El Paso — instead of consoling victims and their families, the trip was all about Trump and his endless tweets that mock political rivals. Meanwhile, he’s getting an earful from all sides on gun control, and he may have to take a stance soon.

ABOUT 80% OF ALL AMERICANS favor tougher background checks on gun purchases, but Mitch McConnell will not even consider such legislation, which has passed in the House. Trump has vacillated between the National Rifle Association, which adamantly opposes reform, and his close aides like Ivanka Trump, who are urging him to endorse a bill.

THE LIKELY OUTCOME could be passage of a national “red flag” law that would allow authorities to confiscate guns from mentally unstable individuals. This bill is better than nothing, but meaningful gun control has no chance unless new polls later this week show a sharp drop in Trump’s job rating.

AS WE WROTE EARLIER THIS WEEK, Trump has gone from a re-election favorite after the Democrats’ leftward lurch in the debates to no better than a 50-50 shot. Trump is badly out of touch on climate change, the trade war’s headwinds and the explosive issue of guns and race. His own advisers, sensing these vulnerabilities, apparently begged him to refrain from angry tweets yesterday, to no avail.
* * * * *
A REMINDER: We won’t publish every day in August, probably just two or three times a week, as this long hot summer comes to a close.


The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of AGF, its subsidiaries or any of its affiliated companies, funds or investment strategies.

The views expressed in this blog are provided as a general source of information based on information available as of the date of publication and should not be considered as personal investment advice or an offer or solicitation to buy and/or sell securities. Speculation or stated believes about future events, such as market or economic conditions, company or security performance, or other projections represent the beliefs of the author and do not necessarily represent the view of AGF, its subsidiaries or any of its affiliated companies, funds or investment strategies. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in these commentaries at the time of publication; however, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Market conditions may change and AGF accepts no responsibility for individual investment decisions arising from the use of or reliance on the information contained herein. Any financial projections are based on the opinions of the author and should not be considered as a forecast. The forward looking statements and opinions may be affected by changing economic circumstances and are subject to a number of uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward looking statements. The information contained in this commentary is designed to provide you with general information related to the political and economic environment in the United States. It is not intended to be comprehensive investment advice applicable to the circumstances of the individual.

AGF Investments is a group of wholly owned subsidiaries of AGF Management Limited, a Canadian reporting issuer. The subsidiaries included in AGF Investments are AGF Investments Inc. (AGFI), AGF Investments America Inc. (AGFA), AGF Investments LLC (AGFUS) and AGF International Advisors Company Limited (AGFIA). AGFA and AGFUS are registered advisors in the U.S. AGFI is a registered as a portfolio manager across Canadian securities commissions. AGFIA is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and registered with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission. The subsidiaries that form AGF Investments manage a variety of mandates comprised of equity, fixed income and balanced assets.

About AGF Management Limited

Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. AGF brings a disciplined approach to delivering excellence in investment management through its fundamental, quantitative, alternative and high-net-worth businesses focused on providing an exceptional client experience. AGF’s suite of investment solutions extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and individual investors to institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds and endowments and foundations.

For further information, please visit AGF.com.

©2021 AGF Management Limited. All rights reserved.

Written by

Greg Valliere

Greg Valliere

Chief U.S. Policy Strategist

AGF Investments

Also Read

  • Investing and Market Views

Everything Is Not Awesome

January 21, 2021

  • Industry and Expert Views

What We’re Doing the Nights Before (and After) Christmas

December 18, 2020

  • Investing and Market Views

An Investor’s Cheat Sheet on the Vaccine

December 14, 2020

  • Industry and Expert Views

Building Back Stronger: A Post-COVID Roadmap for a Better Toronto

December 10, 2020

Get perspectives straight to your inbox.

Subscribe now

More articles like this.

Greg Valliere, Chief U.S. Policy Strategist

  • Industry and Expert Views

Joe Biden Vs. the Energy Industry; The Impeachment Fizzle

Greg Valliere | January 27, 2021

Timely insights from inside Washington.

Read More
Greg Valliere, Chief U.S. Policy Strategist

  • Industry and Expert Views

Filibuster is Intact, a Big Deal; The Futile Impeachment Trial

Greg Valliere | January 26, 2021

Timely insights from inside Washington.

Read More
Greg Valliere, Chief U.S. Policy Strategist

  • Industry and Expert Views

Is a $1.9 Trillion Covid Relief Bill Really Necessary?

Greg Valliere | January 25, 2021

Timely insights from inside Washington.

Read More
AGF Logo
Categories
  • Industry and Expert Views
  • Investing and Market Views
  • Capitol Insights
  • Personal Finance
  • Subscribe
Follow AGF

AGF Web Site Pages © 2021 AGF Management Limited. All rights reserved.

Links
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Privacy For EU Residents
  • AGF.com
  • InstarAGF.com