Two Sides of the Same Coin: Trump's Policies and Their Ripple Effects

"The most important shot in golf is the next one." Ben Hogan.

Trump thinking?

Trump's next move is difficult to predict, unlike Hogan, who is always carefully considering his next shot. But what happens when the next shot, the next step, is uncertain? Or when a swing aimed at a powerful drive turns into an unexpected slice? Recent events, stemming from the actions of Donald Trump, paint a picture of potential roadblocks and miscalculated swings on both the international and domestic fronts.

Closing Doors to Education: The Student Visa Halt

Attributed to President Donald Trump; instructing Florida Senator Marco Rubio to halt applications from overseas students to study in the USA, is creating a ripple of concern. This isn't just about bureaucracy; it's about the dreams of countless students and the very fabric of American higher education. My own experiences, like sharing the joy of golf with my grandson, remind me how important it is to open doors to learning and new experiences. This instruction, if fully implemented, threatens to slam those doors shut.

• Delays and Disruption: A pause in visa applications throws academic plans into disarray. Students face agonizing uncertainty, potentially delaying their education or forcing them to scramble for alternatives. The added layer of extensive social media vetting – scrutinizing every post, every like, every share – could further prolong this stressful limbo.

• Reduced Access: For many, a U.S. education represents a pinnacle of learning. Stricter visa regulations, especially those based on subjective social media analysis, could effectively shut out deserving students from certain countries or with online profiles that might be misinterpreted.

• Chilling Effect on Expression: This focus on social media also raises serious questions about academic freedom. Will students self-censor their online lives, fearing that an innocuous post could jeopardize their future? The free exchange of ideas, a cornerstone of university life, could be stifled.

• Impact on Universities: American universities rely heavily on international student enrollment, and a decline could have significant financial and academic implications.

A Trade War Gone Wrong? The China Tariff Situation

Meanwhile, on the international stage, the situation with China paints a similar picture of potential miscalculation. As Meidas Touch put it, Trump's handling of the trade situation was "pathetic, weak, and humiliating..."

• China Wins? Bloomberg News summarized the Geneva exchange between Xi and Trump on May 12, 2025, noting that China "got everything it wanted from this deal." The US significantly reduced tariffs on Chinese goods, suggesting a major shift in the balance of power. Could it be that Trump did not think a tariff war affects everyone, including American consumers?

• "Humiliating Failure"? An article from Raw Story described Trump as the "slowest learner in presidential history" amid "humiliating failures," reflecting a growing criticism of his trade policies.

• Meidas Touch Critique: A YouTube clip from Meidas Touch, titled "Trump Gets Broken in Front of Entire World with Retreat," offers a scathing critique. MeidasTouch - Trump China They argue that the US essentially retreated, damaging its international credibility.

Common Threads: Policy and Potential Consequences

These two seemingly disparate situations – the student visa halt and the China tariff war – share a common thread: policies initiated by Donald Trump with potentially significant negative consequences. In both cases, the actions are seen as:

• Damaging to US Interests: The visa halt could harm American universities and the economy, while the tariff war appears to have benefited China at the expense of the US.

• Based on Questionable Logic: The social media vetting of students raises concerns about bias and academic freedom, while the tariff war seems to have been based on a flawed understanding of global trade.

• Creating Uncertainty and Instability: Both policies create uncertainty and instability, whether for students planning their academic futures or for businesses navigating the global marketplace.

Like a golfer misjudging a swing, or a leader miscalculating a policy, the consequences can be far-reaching. It remains to be seen how these situations will ultimately play out, but the initial signs suggest a need for careful consideration and a more nuanced approach to both domestic and international policy.