Category: Art Of The Deal

Did Viktor Orbán Just Play the EU?

Interesting theory:

In a display of political chess so brilliant it borders on the comical, Viktor Orbán sniffed out long ago that the European Union, George Soros, Obama, and the whole globalist club were gunning for him. With no worthwhile left-wing opposition left in Hungary (none of them cracked the laughable 5% electoral threshold), the Hungarian prime minister decided to solve the problem his own way: he took his top ally and right-hand man, Péter Magyar, and sent him out front as a deluxe “opponent.”

The plan was as simple as it was genius: Magyar, who until 2024 was a key piece of the Orbán government, dramatically jumped ship, played the dissident, eagerly accepted funds from the very Eurocrats who despise Orbán, and positioned himself as the great hope for “change.” The European left and their patrons fell into the trap like flies into honey. “At last!” they shouted in Brussels, as they cracked open the checkbook. No one understood a thing, of course, because hardly anyone speaks Hungarian and the headlines in Western media were too flattering to question.

Related: Newly elected Hungarian PM Péter Magyar visits the state broadcaster and shares some truth bombs.

Thank You For Your Attention To This Matter

Open Source Intel;

The U.S. has begun enforcing a naval blockade on Iran, targeting all vessels entering and exiting its ports across the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

The move is expected to inflict about $435M in total daily losses across Iran’s exports, roughly $13B per month, even as its oil revenues rose 37% during the war to about $139M per day.

The IRGC had been operating a paid “protection corridor,” charging up to $2M per vessel in crypto, but the blockade could halt exports, disrupt imports, trigger food shortages, and accelerate the collapse of the rial.

Plus: vessels entering the Strait of Hormuz without authorization are subject to interception, diversion, and capture by the U.S. military. […] “The blockade will not impede neutral transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations.”

More: The thing about that Persian Gulf stranglehold is that, like the Sword of Damcles, it’s only effective until it’s played.”

I’m on the road this week and mostly out of the news cycle, so drop related links in the comments.

Thank You For Your Attention To This Matter

Iran denies, but which Iran?

Related @RealAndyLeeShow: Canadian entities named in sanctions against Hizballah.

Unexpectedly

Juxtapose time.

The U.S. trade deficit narrowed sharply in January as exports surged to a record high and imports fell, a trend that if sustained, could see trade contributing to economic growth in the first quarter.

Canada’s trade deficit widened in January as exports of motor vehicles and parts fell to the lowest level in more than four years. Canadian goods exports decreased by 4.7%, the biggest monthly decline since April 2025, Statistics Canada reported Thursday. That pushed the country’s trade shortfall to $3.65 billion.

Kill shot: Economists surveyed by Bloomberg were expecting Canada’s trade deficit to shrink to $1.1 billion January from $1.3 billion in December.

New. World. Order.

Damage control.

Statement from the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy:

“As the Prime Minister said this week, Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership in our economy and security — and we will remain focused on ensuring the future of that relationship will benefit workers and businesses on both sides of our border.

There is no pursuit of a free trade deal with China. What was achieved was resolution on several important tariff issues.

Canada’s new government is building a stronger Canadian economy, with a plan that is building our strength at home and strengthening our trading partnerships throughout the world.”

Our Chinese-Installed Governor In Ottawa

I think Trump’s long game here is to ensure Mark Carney gets his majority.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday said he would impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it makes a trade deal with China and warned Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that a deal would endanger his country.

“China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the U.S.A.”

And then peel off Alberta in the aftermath.

Related: Pro-China Networks Amplified Carney’s Beijing Messaging to Attack U.S. Policy

Art Of The Deal

Trump should write a book.

What I find amazing is Trump runs the same play over and over again and people are surprised by it every time. Guy you should have figured out what the game plan is by now.

Even more amazing is people haven’t figured out the strategy of ask for incredible things and fall back to getting big gains. Like I see people say he collapsed on Chinese tariffs and I’m like he nearly doubled them and they stand at alike 40%. If that is collapsing then I wish every country would “collapse” on Chinese tariffs. Like seriously don’t threaten me with a good time.

Orson responds, in the comments;

This guy doesn’t fully grasp it either. He’s trying to sound like it’s a simple concept that his BIG BUSINESS BRAIN grasps, but you peons do not. He’s missing a very, very, very important factor. Leverage. If Trump has leverage, he uses it. If he doesn’t have leverage, he builds it. If there is no leverage to be had he sells potential. Don’t believe me?

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