Morning Wire – Trump's Asia Trip & Carriers To The Caribbean
Date: October 27, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley (Executive Editor, Daily Wire), Georgia Howe
Correspondents/Sources: Cabot Phillips, Kevin Besson, Tim Pierce, Tom Papert, E.J. Antoni
Overview of the Episode
This episode centers on President Donald Trump’s high-stakes Asia diplomatic tour, significant trade and peace deals secured in Southeast Asia, looming negotiations with China, unprecedented U.S. military presence and anti-drug operations in the Caribbean, escalated tensions with Colombia, and fresh insights on the U.S. economy amidst tariffs and reindustrialization. The hosts and guests unpack the global and domestic ramifications of these fast-moving stories.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump's Asia Trip: Trade Deals and Peace Talks
- [02:42–03:03] President Trump lands in Malaysia to commence a week-long diplomatic sweep in South Asia, including stops in South Korea and Japan.
- Goal: Secure new trade agreements and expand American export access to Asian markets.
- Immediate Outcomes:
- Trade deals with Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia erase most tariffs on American goods.
- Rare earth minerals access from Thailand and Cambodia marks a strategic win for U.S. supply chains.
- Peace Initiative: Trump brokers a formal peace treaty between Thailand and Cambodia – nations recently on the brink of war over a border dispute.
- Viral Quote:
“And I love doing it. I love… I shouldn’t say it’s a hobby because it’s so much more serious than a hobby, but it’s something that I’m good at.”
— President Trump on brokering peace deals [04:12]
- Viral Quote:
- Attention turns to showdowns with China:
- Upcoming Trump-Xi Jinping meeting (first since 2019) is framed as pivotal.
- Objectives:
- End the U.S.-China trade war that’s resulted in tariffs exceeding 100%.
- Push China to resume major U.S. farm purchases, open up rare earth minerals, and clamp down on fentanyl.
2. Trade Tensions With Canada Sparked by TV Ad
- [05:41–07:40] Canada-U.S. trade talks derailed:
- Ontario government airs an ad using Ronald Reagan’s 1987 anti-tariff speech to criticize Trump’s tariffs, escalating tensions.
- Canadian retaliation: Trump cancels trade talks and announces a further 10% tariff hike on Canadian goods.
- Notable Quote (from ad’s use of Reagan):
“High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars.” [06:45]
3. U.S. Military Moves: Aircraft Carriers to the Caribbean
- [08:48–09:17]
- Deployment: USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group dispatched to Caribbean, signaling an escalated strategy against South American drug cartels.
- Potential Land Strikes:
- Trump hints at moving beyond naval operations to direct strikes on cartel strongholds in Venezuela and Colombia.
- Trump Quote:
“The land is going to be next… What are they going to do? Say, gee, we don’t want to stop drugs pouring in. They’re killing 300,000 people a year.” [09:42]
- Domestic Support: Senator Lindsey Graham states Trump plans to brief Congress on prospective military action after returning from Asia [10:05].
- Venezuelan Response: Maduro claims there are 5,000 Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles ready and millions would defend Venezuela if attacked [10:18].
- Colombia: President Trump imposes sanctions on President Gustavo Petro and family, accusing Petro of collusion with cartels. The move is applauded by Colombian-American Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar [11:33].
4. Update: Kilmar Abrego Garcia Deportation Case
- [11:51–12:58]
- Federal attorneys announce intent to deport Abrego Garcia to Liberia after protracted legal battles; Liberia agrees to accept him.
- Judicial complications:
- Judge Paula Xinis is seen as sympathetic to Garcia, likely to delay deportation.
- Notable Quote:
“In my view, this judge… has really been acting as the fifth legal team representing Kilmar Abrego Garcia.”
— Tom Papert [12:38]
- It seems a final deportation is a matter of “when, not if.”
5. The Trump Economy: Trade, Tariffs, and Recovery
- [13:13–17:44]
- Inflation News: Latest report shows CPI up 0.3%, cooler than expected [13:13].
- Guest Economist: E.J. Antoni (Heritage Foundation) assesses economic fundamentals:
- Transition Period:
- Post-Biden, government hiring is replaced with layoffs; less public sector stimulus means sluggish data masks healthier private sector growth.
- Memorable Analogy:
“…it’s almost like the chemotherapy that makes you feel really lousy but gets rid of your cancer.”
— E.J. Antoni [14:10]
- Tariff Revenue:
- Tariffs are bringing in “hundreds of billions”—September saw the biggest budget surplus for that month, fueled by customs duties [15:53].
- Effect on Reshoring:
- Some U.S. manufacturing jobs and capacity are returning, but input tariffs make some goods temporarily pricier.
- “Competing effects… one is helping, the other is hurting.” [16:41]
- Outlook:
- Private sector growth expected to continue, with earnings outpacing inflation [17:26].
- Transition Period:
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Trump’s diplomatic mindset:
“And I love doing it. I love … It’s something that I’m good at.”
— President Trump [04:12] -
On the Canadian trade dispute:
“High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars.”
— Ronald Reagan (1987), quoted in Ontario ad [06:45] -
On escalation in anti-drug strategy:
“The land is going to be next and we may go to the Senate… but I can't imagine they'd have any problem with it… They're killing 300,000 people a year.”
— President Trump [09:42] -
On the judge in the Garcia deportation:
“This judge... has really been acting as the fifth legal team representing Kilmar Abrego Garcia.”
— Tom Papert [12:38] -
On the nature of current economic pain:
“…it’s almost like the chemotherapy that makes you feel really lousy but gets rid of your cancer.”
— E.J. Antoni [14:10]
Key Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment | Speaker(s) | Key Theme | |--------------|----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | 02:42–04:20 | Asia Trip Overview, Trade & Peace Deals | Kevin Besson, President Trump | Diplomacy, new trade/peace deals | | 05:41–07:40 | Canada Trade Spat, Reagan Ad Controversy | Kevin Besson, E.J. Antoni | Tariff war escalates | | 08:48–11:46 | Caribbean Military Escalation & Colombia | Tim Pierce, President Trump, Sen. Graham | Drug war escalation, sanctions | | 11:51–12:58 | Kilmar Abrego Garcia Deportation | Tim Pierce, Tom Papert | Legal battle, deportation update | | 13:13–17:44 | Economic Update, Inflation & Tariffs | Cabot Phillips, E.J. Antoni | Economy, tariffs, future outlook |
Summary Table
| Topic | Key Points & Outcomes | |-------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Asia Trip | Trade deals (tariff removal), rare earth access, peace treaty (Thailand-Cambodia), looming China talks | | U.S.-Canada Tensions | Reagan-ad controversy, talks collapse, new tariffs imposed by U.S. | | Caribbean Ops | Aircraft carrier deployed, hints at land strikes on cartels, Venezuelan threats, sanctions against Colombia | | Kilmar Garcia Case | Deportation likely but delayed, judicial maneuvering ongoing | | Economic Health | Inflation cooling, tariffs raising revenue, some reshoring, short-term pain/long-term gain dynamic |
This episode delivers fact-packed updates on rapidly evolving global affairs and domestic policies, providing clarity on the stakes and ongoing negotiations behind the headlines. Trump’s signature blend of confrontation and deal-making sets the tone throughout, whether abroad or at home.