Because it ain’t no laughing matter:
We can cogitate on what it means for investments. Here’s the HSBC take:
But for me the larger implications are more important. A Trump Presidency will be a dramatic acceleration for deglobalisation meaning:
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- nation states rebounding as the touchstone of policy as market states fall back;
- a deeper divide in the so-called “Clash of Civilisations”;
- anti-immigration movements boosted worldwide;
- deteriorating US/China relations based largely around trade, and
- a quite serious roll back of liberal trade policy globally.
It is hard to think of a less propitious outcome for Australia and I would expect it to impact us thus over time:
- deeper than ever Coalition divisions as Abbott policies look much more in step with Trump than do Turnbull’s;
- falling immigration as state boundaries rebound;
- a lot more pressure to deliver for ANZUS including participation in mid-East wars, raising defense spending and protecting the economy from Chinese interests, and
- a dramatic rise in claims for trade protection.
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It’s not all bad. It might just save us from the McKibbin Doctrine.
