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Political Analyst
Forged by the sea there's very little consistency with anything Donald Trump is. But if you take a close look, the one thing that seems clear is he is attacking and weakening our alliances and strengthening our adversaries. Let me give you another case in point with these tariffs. You notice that the 25% tariffs, well, that's what our allies get hit with. But the 10% tariffs, those are for our adversaries, right? So less tariffs on our adversaries. As some have said, the administration is demented. But I think there's something deeper going on here. You take a look at the ripple effects. For example, the President of the Philippines has now offered a deal with China. You want to talk about deal making? It's deal making that that weakens the United States geopolitical interests. And I'm gonna show you this first. And then I wanna show you what Marco Rubio was saying about the Philippines. And you can see how China is outmaneuvering Donald Trump quite easily. But either Donald Trump is the biggest idiot ever, which may be the case, or he's playing right into the hands, intentionally and maliciously in terms of our geopolitical interest, right into the hands of China. So take a look at this. The Philippines president offers a deal to China. Stop sea aggression and I'll return the missiles to the United states. The typhoon U.S. missile system. So the Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Offered at the end of last week on Friday, to remove U.S. missile systems from Philippines if China halts what it called aggressive and coercive action. The US army installed these Typhoon mid range missile systems in the northern Philippines in April last year in the Biden administration to support what the longtime treaty allies described as a training for joint combat readiness. Now, however you feel about it, this was part of a geopolitical arrangement of the United States and frankly of NATO in Asia, as also part of America's support of Taiwan and in an effort to try to check the growth of China, which was also building a lot of bases in the nearby areas. This is what the US Geopolitical policy was, or geostrategic policy was. But now one of the things that we're learning is that Trump's new Pentagon appointee on Southeast Asia has argued for negotiating a, quote, cooperation spiral with China whereby the United States will unilaterally, quote, remove U.S. military forces or weapons systems from the Philippines in exchange for CCG executing fewer patrols. One of the things that's being asked, can the US And China forge a cold peace right here? Well, the interesting thing about this is that it undermines everything Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at his confirmation hearing. What's interesting, if you listen to Rubio in the clip I'm about to show you, it actually kind of echoes what the Biden policy was in how. And a. And a prevailing view amongst international strategists, those in the State Department, those in the Defense Department, that what you have to do is to kind of check China's expansion. You have to make your own kind of maneuvers, military bases, military maneuvers and diplomatic maneuvers, US Aid to various countries, and then, you know, enhance kind of military support. But already America's so weak. Philippines is going to China. Hey, could we. Could we do a deal? Let's make a deal. Xi Jinping as America's Pentagon official, who has to report to Hegseth. Pete Hegseth, who's never led any military thing before, really, other than a nonprofit, which pushed him out but never led a large organization. This is what's going on. Here's what Marco Rubio said. Secretary of State Rubio, let's play this clip.
Geopolitical Expert
Let's leave Taiwan out of it for a moment and say it's the Philippines. Okay. In the last 48 hours, there's this massive. I don't even know how to describe it, but this massive ship that the Chinese have built that's, like, headed towards the Philippines. And the Philippines feels threatened by it, rightfully so. We've seen this on a daily basis with a. Harassment and so forth, but on a daily basis, if, God forbid, there is some miscommunication or some inadvertent conflict emerges there and we have obligations to them, the impact that will have on the entire globe, the impact that it will have on the entire globe is enormous, and that includes Europe. So they have a selfish vested interest in seeking for the Chinese to curb their behaviors. I would also point to the Europeans that what. What the Russians have done with Ukraine would not have been possible without the assistance of China. Whether it's the sharing of technology or aid in evading sanctions or selling their oil and secondary markets, the Chinese have been hidden but clear to everyone watching partners in the Russian endeavor.
Political Analyst
So when you see that, you can see how Trump's actual policies undermine what Rubio saying. But that's what Trump wants, right? Like Trump will have his Attorney General Pam Bondi at the confirmation hearing say, we're going to respect the rank and file FBI directors and FBI staff. Everybody's going to get due process. And then Donald Trump fires any FBI agent who had anything to do with investigating January 6th insurrectionist and terroristic acts on January 6th and Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. So Trump pardons all of the January 6th insurrectionists. They get treated like heroes, but then law and order, the FBI, they get fired. My point though here is that Pam Bondi said the opposite. So my point about Marco Rubio is that Marco Rubio said one thing and then the policy was undermined.
Podcast Host
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Political Analyst
The policy undermined as well? Let me give you other data points. So Donald Trump's recent press conference. He says that he's going to put tariffs on Taiwan. Taiwan's our ally, so Trump's talking about putting worse tariffs, more damaging tariffs on our ally, Taiwan, while then having this cooperation with China against the Philippines and against Taiwan. Here, listen to what Trump says here.
Donald Trump
Play this clip Plans put together in particular, in the very near future, we're going to be placing tariffs on Foreign production of computer chips, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals to return production of these essential goods to the United States of America. They left us and they went to Taiwan, where, which is about 98% of the chip business, by the way. And we want them to come back. And we don't want to give them billions of dollars like this ridiculous program that Biden has. Give everybody billions of dollars. They already have billions of dollars. They've got nothing but money, Joe. They didn't need money. They needed an incentive. And the incentive is going to be they're not going to want to pay a 25, 50 or even 100% tax. They're going to build their factory with their own money. We don't have to give them money. They're going to come in because it's good for them to come in. They're giving them money. They don't even know what they're going to do with it. I had people tell me, we have no idea. We didn't need money.
Political Analyst
And then when Donald Trump was asked about deep Seek, which is China's AI that really destroyed America's AI industry was so far more advanced, one would look at China's foray into AI as a direct economic attack and assault on US Industry. One would think, did China steal. Did China take the billions and billions of dollars in development from US AI companies and basically appropriate it for their own use, undercutting the US Interest? But Donald Trump's like, actually, you know, maybe a good thing. Here, play this clip.
Donald Trump
This is very unusual. When you hear a deep Seek, when you hear something, somebody come up with something, we always have the ideas. We're always first. So I would say that's a positive. That could be very much a positive development. So instead of spending billions and billions, you'll spend less and you'll come up with hopefully the same solution under the trumpet.
Political Analyst
And remember how I said before that, you know, the US Power internationally as kind of the, quote, unquote, leader of the free world. It was Post World War II exercised in a lot of ways. So one of the ways it was exercised was through aid, supporting other countries, building bridges, alliances. And the other way was military. Now the United States is pulling out all of its aid. We're attacking everybody, threatening countries. Donald Trump's arbitrary, capricious, malicious, mind you don't know what's going to happen one day or the next, threatening everybody, saying, America doesn't need anything. We don't need allies, we don't. We don't need anybody. I mean, you couldn't be weakening us more if you tried. Like, that's why it feels intentional. And also from a military perspective, we are enhancing the power of China, we are enhancing the power of Russia, we are weakening Taiwan. China may not have to fire a single shot with all of the kind of former American allies, they just start making deals with Xi Jinping because they can't rely on America. And America's so weak, they see the writing on the walls. Look, even the president of Mexico, the very popular and powerful Claudia sheinbaum at the G20 summit a few months back. She was not supposed to meet with Xi Jinping. She met with Xi Jinping, took photos with Xi Jinping. Why? To send a message. We could try to find other power structures outside of the United States if you force us to. But even without Claudia Sheinbaum, I mean, the head of the president of Panama, Peru, Honduras, Colombia, all had state visits with Xi Jinping over the past five, seven, eight years. Panama established strong relations with China during Trump's first term. China's giving billions of dollars in aid. They're giving statements about respecting sovereignty of nations, the types of statements that used to emanate from the United States. And what's Trump doing? Just acting like. Like a blabbering fool. That's my point. My thesis here is that either he's the biggest idiot and moron ever, which could be true, the most incompetent, dumbest, you know, and I'm not trying to name call, just trying to be objective, or this is intentional to help China, to boost China, to help Russia. China and Russia are taugh talking. They're making deals with each other. Russia and Iran are talking, they're entering into alliances, and America's breaking all of its alliance. So if you wanted to execute a plan, how do you weaken America? It's this. And this example in the Philippines is a perfect exemplar of it. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 4 million. Thanks for watching.
Podcast Host
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The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Philippines Prez STICKS IT to Trump WHERE IT HURTS"
Release Date: February 3, 2025
In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas delve deep into the intricate dynamics between the United States, China, and the Philippines, with a particular focus on President Donald Trump's recent policies and their geopolitical ramifications. The discussion is enriched with insightful analysis, sharp brotherly banter, and a staunch defense of democratic values.
The episode opens with the hosts addressing the inconsistencies in former President Donald Trump's foreign policy decisions. The primary concern revolves around Trump's approach to international alliances and adversaries, highlighting a perceived weakening of U.S. alliances while inadvertently strengthening opponents.
Notable Quote:
"If you take a close look, the one thing that seems clear is he is attacking and weakening our alliances and strengthening our adversaries."
— Political Analyst [00:28]
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the recent offer by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to China. Marcos Jr. proposed the removal of U.S. missile systems from the Philippines in exchange for China ceasing aggressive actions in the South China Sea. This move is dissected as a strategic pivot that undermines longstanding U.S. geopolitical interests in the region.
Key Points:
Notable Quote:
"The Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. offered to remove U.S. missile systems if China halts aggressive actions."
— Political Analyst [00:28]
The hosts critique Trump's contradictory policies, particularly his stance on tariffs and alliances. While implementing high tariffs on allies, Trump simultaneously engages in cooperative tactics with adversaries like China.
Key Points:
Notable Quotes:
"Donald Trump is the biggest idiot ever... or he's playing right into the hands, intentionally and maliciously in terms of our geopolitical interest."
— Political Analyst [06:04]
"Secretary of State Rubio said one thing and then the policy was undermined."
— Political Analyst [07:02]
The episode further explores Trump's economic maneuvers, particularly his approach to tariffs on Taiwan and the semiconductor industry. The analysis points out the detrimental effects of these policies on U.S. allies and industries.
Key Points:
Notable Quotes:
"We're going to be placing tariffs on foreign production of computer chips, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals to return production of these essential goods to the United States."
— Donald Trump Clip [08:46]
"You take a look at the ripple effects. For example, the President of the Philippines has now offered a deal with China."
— Political Analyst [00:28]
A critical theme throughout the episode is the erosion of U.S. global leadership. The hosts argue that Trump's erratic policies are not just undermining alliances but also bolstering adversaries like China and Russia.
Key Points:
Notable Quotes:
"Now, the United States is pulling out all of its aid. We're attacking everybody, threatening countries."
— Political Analyst [10:40]
"China and Russia are talking, they're making deals with each other, and America's breaking all of its alliances."
— Political Analyst [10:40]
The episode wraps up with a stark assessment of Trump's foreign policy, presenting two possibilities: either Trump's actions are a result of incompetence or they are part of a deliberate strategy to weaken the United States on the global stage.
Key Points:
Notable Quotes:
"Either he's the biggest idiot and moron ever... or this is intentional to help China, to boost China, to help Russia."
— Political Analyst [10:40]
"Like, that's why it feels intentional. And also from a military perspective, we are enhancing the power of China, we are enhancing the power of Russia, we are weakening Taiwan."
— Political Analyst [10:40]
This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast presents a thorough and critical analysis of Donald Trump's foreign policies, highlighting their complex and often contradictory impact on global alliances and U.S. geopolitical standing. Through detailed discussions and expert insights, the Meiselas brothers underscore the urgent need for coherent and strategic leadership to navigate the challenges posed by rising global powers.
Join the Conversation: For listeners eager to delve deeper into political analysis, support democracy, and stay informed on pivotal global events, The MeidasTouch Podcast continues to be an essential resource. New episodes are released every Tuesday and Friday morning, with live video sessions on Mondays and Thursdays.
Disclaimer: All quotes are attributed to speakers at their respective timestamps within the episode transcript.