Custom duties, exclusive golf sets, and alleged bribery
In a recent development, the temporary stay of a ruling declaring numerous tariffs imposed by the Trump administration as illegal has been announced. This decision allows the tariffs, including those imposed on Mexico, to remain in effect for the interim. A ruling on the case is expected in the coming days following a comprehensive review. The Trump administration has justified maintaining the tariffs as a means to safeguard the "successful negotiations" the US government has achieved through these measures. However, the use of these tariffs as a mechanism for corruption for President Trump's economic advantage has yet to be openly discussed.
Institutional Erosion
To analyze the tariffs as a corrupt practice, it is crucial to consider the backdrop of institutional erosion that has facilitated this situation. One of the earliest actions of the Trump administration involved controlling and eliminating checks and balances within institutions of justice and accountability to prevent any investigation or punishment against the president himself. Through the appointment of executive officials within the Department of Justice and the FBI, and the control exercised by the Republican Party within Congress, the president has undermined much of the safeguards against abuse of power by other government institutions. These actions were also accompanied by the suspension of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), a significant anti-corruption legal instrument in the United States, which was designed to curb US companies from promoting corrupt practices abroad.
Golf Courses and Aircraft as Currencies
This week, news of a multimillion-dollar golf resort being built by the Trump Organization in Vietnam has emerged. The swift and irregular manner in which construction permits were granted, coupled with the imposition of tariffs on Vietnam, has led some media outlets to interpret this real estate decision as an instance of undue influence. Additionally, it was revealed that the government of Qatar gifted a plane to the US president for personal use. While the legality of this "gift" remains under review, the aircraft is currently in government custody.
Presidential Favors as the Value of $Trump Cryptocurrency
These foreign scandals coincide with the continuous promotion of the president's meme cryptocurrency, $Trump. With exclusive dinner invitations extended to major investors of his meme coin, the president has made no secret of his willingness to exploit the presidential office for his private enrichment. What was once considered a cryptocurrency with no economic value is now an investment option for those seeking proximity and favors from Trump amidst commercial and financial uncertainty.
These latest scandals within the US administration suggest that the trade war serves not just as a tool for economic advantages, but also for personal and familial gain. Although the administration's official response to corruption accusations focuses on the wealth Trump had accumulated prior to his second term, it is worth remembering that this second term has been marked by the abuse of power to further increase economic power.
Irene Tello Arista, Specialist in Anti-Corruption Issues @itelloarista
Join our channel to stay updated on the most relevant news, opinion articles, entertainment, trends, and more through our WhatsApp website.
- The ongoing tariffs, such as those imposed on Mexico, align with the Trump administration's strategy to safeguard their "successful negotiations," but they also raise concerns about the potential erosion of institutional checks and balances, making it easier for these measures to possibly be used as mechanisms for corruption.
- In addition to the tariff-related controversies, reports of a multimillion-dollar golf resort by the Trump Organization in Vietnam and the provision of a personal aircraft by the government of Qatar have led to speculation about undue influence and potential corruption.
- The continuous promotion of the president's meme cryptocurrency, $Trump, hints at an intention to exploit the presidential office for personal enrichment, with exclusive dinner invitations offered to major investors, suggesting that economic power is being used to gain favors and access.
