The Impact of Trump's tariffs on global trade and the US economy - Donald Mackay

WITH a stroke of his fat koki pen, US President Donald Trump has done more to harm the dollar's reserve status than anything Xi, Putin or anyone else could do, wrought as reserve status was an outcome of American strength at Bretton-Woods, the dollar has retained that state because it still works really well for trade. The worldwide privilege of having the world's reserve currency, described by French economist Valery Giscard d'Estaing, is essential to American economy.

- DONALD MACKAY

The dollar's role allows the US to borrow cheaply, issues debt that sustains like no other nation worldwide because that still and even sugar are priced in dollars, further cementing its centrality in global trade.

But these are all fictions, maintaining their ephemeral existence because of the power of the belief in the faith.

In Terry Pratchett's 1992 philosophical treatise, 'Witches Abroad', Om-related narratives reveal that to allow the form of a powerless tortoise because his followers no longer truly believe in him. The tortoise and his followers have become hollow, rotten in fear, ridicule and dogma rather than genuine devotion. This loss of authentic belief renders Om and his world vulnerable to devastation. The United States derives its strength from the belief of its citizens and most of the world, in its institutions, such as democracy, justice and governance. When faith in America is as difficult to see how America still thrives. Om is eventually caught by an eagle and dropped onto some nearby head, but the point remains.