Leaked documents reveal hidden agenda behind Trump tariff demands

[Michael Cole]

Leaked documents reveal hidden agenda behind Trump tariff demands

President Donald Trump’s tariff policy has been described by the president as a tool to address the United States’ trade deficits with countries the world over, however, according to leaked government documents obtained by The Washington Post, the policy had a series of other high-priority...

www.rawstory.com

MSN

President Donald Trump’s tariff policy has been described by the president as a tool to address the United States’ trade deficits with countries the world over, however, according to leaked government documents obtained by The Washington Post, the policy had a series of other high-priority objectives that has left experts shocked.

As reported by The Washington Post Saturday, the internal government documents reveal pages of “supplemental negotiating objectives,” among which include using tariffs to pressure countries to offer concessions for companies like the oil giant Chevron or Elon Musk’s Starlink.

“This is the first time I’ve seen that type of request in a trade agreement,” said Wendy Cutler, an American diplomat who spent nearly 30 years as a negotiator with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, speaking with The Washington Post. “When you’re sitting at the negotiating table, you’re not talking about this stuff.”

One portion of the leaked documents detail efforts to pressure the African nation of Lesotho – threatened by Trump with a 50% tariff rate – to grant the renewable energy company OnePower a “five-year withholding tax exemption” for it to develop an energy grid development project.

...A significant share of the hidden objectives behind Trump’s tariffs were centered around combating China and Chinese influence across the globe. The leaked documents show one such objective was to pressure Cambodia using tariffs to prohibit Chinese military deployments near its Ream Naval Base, and another, to pressure Israel to “remove Chinese port ownership” in the country’s port city of Haifa.

The original Washington Post paywalled article is linked in the snippet.

We saw this earlier with Trump's immigration and fentanyl demands, but now we know this has been official policy used around the world.

Should the president be leveraging the US economy in making political/national security demands from other countries?

None of this is normal. None of it is sane.

 

[The AntiDonald]

MSN

President Donald Trump’s tariff policy has been described by the president as a tool to address the United States’ trade deficits with countries the world over, however, according to leaked government documents obtained by The Washington Post, the policy had a series of other high-priority objectives that has left experts shocked.

As reported by The Washington Post Saturday, the internal government documents reveal pages of “supplemental negotiating objectives,” among which include using tariffs to pressure countries to offer concessions for companies like the oil giant Chevron or Elon Musk’s Starlink.

“This is the first time I’ve seen that type of request in a trade agreement,” said Wendy Cutler, an American diplomat who spent nearly 30 years as a negotiator with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, speaking with The Washington Post. “When you’re sitting at the negotiating table, you’re not talking about this stuff.”

One portion of the leaked documents detail efforts to pressure the African nation of Lesotho – threatened by Trump with a 50% tariff rate – to grant the renewable energy company OnePower a “five-year withholding tax exemption” for it to develop an energy grid development project.

...A significant share of the hidden objectives behind Trump’s tariffs were centered around combating China and Chinese influence across the globe. The leaked documents show one such objective was to pressure Cambodia using tariffs to prohibit Chinese military deployments near its Ream Naval Base, and another, to pressure Israel to “remove Chinese port ownership” in the country’s port city of Haifa.

The original Washington Post paywalled article is linked in the snippet.

We saw this earlier with Trump's immigration and fentanyl demands, but now we know this has been official policy used around the world.

Should the president be leveraging the US economy in making political/national security demands from other countries?

None of this is normal. None of it is sane.

No, of course he shouldn't. But knowing Trump like we have for the past 10 years, is this really a surprise? Trump is the most transactional president (person) I've ever known. Anything in a request to any other country can be traced back to a benefit for Trump. It's just who he is.

 

[Michael Cole]

No, of course he shouldn't. But knowing Trump like we have for the past 10 years, is this really a surprise? Trump is the most transactional president (person) I've ever known. Anything in a request to any other country can be traced back to a benefit for Trump. It's just who he is.

Trump is risking our livelihoods in service of his need for total control. Of everything. In the world.

Trump is threatening other countries with raising our taxes. Abnormal to say the least. MAGA will defend this, I'm sure.

 

[The AntiDonald]

Trump is risking our livelihoods in service of his need for total control. Of everything. In the world.

Trump is threatening other countries with raising our taxes. Abnormal to say the least. MAGA will defend this, I'm sure.

No disagreement here. We can only hope democrats will prevail in '26 and be able to somewhat reel this maniac in.

 

[Mycroft]

None of this is normal.

Of course, it's not "normal". Normal is not doing anything to restrict China. Normal is not doing anything for US companies. Normal is letting the Globalists **** over the US at every turn.

You are correct. Trump is NOT "normal". Trump is America First.

None of it is sane.

If you don't give a shit about the US, then you are correct.

 

[The AntiDonald]

Of course, it's not "normal". Normal is not doing anything to restrict China. Normal is not doing anything for US companies. Normal is letting the Globalists **** over the US at every turn.

You are correct. Trump is NOT "normal". Trump is America First.


If you don't give a shit about the US, then you are correct.

This is just so wrong. The unconditional fealty for Donald Trump is not normal.

 

[lynnwinslow]

Of course, it's not "normal". Normal is not doing anything to restrict China. Normal is not doing anything for US companies. Normal is letting the Globalists **** over the US at every turn.

You are correct. Trump is NOT "normal". Trump is America First.


If you don't give a shit about the US, then you are correct.

Trump is Trump first. If other people and entities happen to benefit from his machinations, it's only a coincidence.

 

[Michael Cole]

Of course, it's not "normal". Normal is not doing anything to restrict China. Normal is not doing anything for US companies. Normal is letting the Globalists **** over the US at every turn.

At least you admit it's not normal. That's a start. Wandering off into globalist CT land is bizarre, as always.

You are correct. Trump is NOT "normal". Trump is America First.

Lol. So, you're saying America First is not normal. Yes, I think we agree.

If you don't give a shit about the US, then you are correct.

I have no idea where this comes from. Trump is risking your livelihood in his emotional need for control. He's a weak man. And you're okay with this. Leveraging the US economy on Trump's whim. Because - America First.

Damn, your posts get a person dizzy.

 

[Mycroft]

If the OP's article chaps the Trump hater's ass, then this next article will REALLY send y'all into conniptions.

How Trump’s Armenia–Azerbaijan Peace Deal Benefits America: A Strategic Win | The Gateway Pundit | by Antonio Graceffo

On August 8, 2025, President Donald Trump presided over a historic peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, marking the end of a 35-year conflict and securing significant strategic and economic benefits for the United States.

www.thegatewaypundit.com

The agreement establishes a permanent ceasefire, mutual recognition of each other’s territorial integrity, and the normalization of diplomatic relations. At its core is the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), a strategic transit corridor connecting Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory. The United States holds exclusive development rights to this corridor, potentially for decades.​

​

The deal also broadens U.S. cooperation with both countries in energy, trade, technology, and defense. It formally dissolves the long-ineffective OSCE Minsk Group, reducing Russian and European influence in the South Caucasus.​

​

U.S. officials estimate the new transit corridor will generate billions of dollars in additional annual trade for Americans, with nine potential U.S. operators already expressing interest and formal negotiations now underway. The agreement grants American companies exclusive development rights, opening the door to major infrastructure projects including rail lines, oil and gas pipelines, and fiber optic networks, ultimately creating a fully integrated connectivity system under U.S. control.​

​

The corridor will also facilitate the flow of energy from the resource-rich Caucasus to Western markets, a development senior officials have described as “enormously powerful” for American business and European energy security. Strategically, the deal weakens the influence of China, Russia, and Iran in a region they have long considered their own domain, while boosting the position of the West.​

​

By enabling travel and trade between Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Central Asia without crossing Iranian or Russian territory, the corridor reduces Western dependence on adversarial nations for critical transport routes. It also strengthens U.S. influence as Moscow’s regional role diminishes in the wake of its Ukraine invasion. Most importantly, by ending decades of conflict that claimed thousands of lives, the agreement brings greater stability to the South Caucasus, directly benefiting U.S. national security interests.​

​

One of the most important regional developments in recent years is Armenia’s strategic pivot to the United States. The peace deal’s most significant long-term benefit is Armenia’s comprehensive realignment from Russia to the West, a geopolitical shift that fundamentally changes the balance of power in the South Caucasus.​

 

[rahl]

If the OP's article chaps the Trump hater's ass, then this next article will REALLY send y'all into conniptions.

How Trump’s Armenia–Azerbaijan Peace Deal Benefits America: A Strategic Win | The Gateway Pundit | by Antonio Graceffo

On August 8, 2025, President Donald Trump presided over a historic peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, marking the end of a 35-year conflict and securing significant strategic and economic benefits for the United States.

www.thegatewaypundit.com

The agreement establishes a permanent ceasefire, mutual recognition of each other’s territorial integrity, and the normalization of diplomatic relations. At its core is the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), a strategic transit corridor connecting Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory. The United States holds exclusive development rights to this corridor, potentially for decades.​

​

The deal also broadens U.S. cooperation with both countries in energy, trade, technology, and defense. It formally dissolves the long-ineffective OSCE Minsk Group, reducing Russian and European influence in the South Caucasus.​

​

U.S. officials estimate the new transit corridor will generate billions of dollars in additional annual trade for Americans, with nine potential U.S. operators already expressing interest and formal negotiations now underway. The agreement grants American companies exclusive development rights, opening the door to major infrastructure projects including rail lines, oil and gas pipelines, and fiber optic networks, ultimately creating a fully integrated connectivity system under U.S. control.​

​

The corridor will also facilitate the flow of energy from the resource-rich Caucasus to Western markets, a development senior officials have described as “enormously powerful” for American business and European energy security. Strategically, the deal weakens the influence of China, Russia, and Iran in a region they have long considered their own domain, while boosting the position of the West.​

​

By enabling travel and trade between Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Central Asia without crossing Iranian or Russian territory, the corridor reduces Western dependence on adversarial nations for critical transport routes. It also strengthens U.S. influence as Moscow’s regional role diminishes in the wake of its Ukraine invasion. Most importantly, by ending decades of conflict that claimed thousands of lives, the agreement brings greater stability to the South Caucasus, directly benefiting U.S. national security interests.​

​

One of the most important regional developments in recent years is Armenia’s strategic pivot to the United States. The peace deal’s most significant long-term benefit is Armenia’s comprehensive realignment from Russia to the West, a geopolitical shift that fundamentally changes the balance of power in the South Caucasus.​

Gateway pundit

 

[ttwtt78640]

Trump is risking our livelihoods in service of his need for total control. Of everything. In the world.

Trump is threatening other countries with raising our taxes. Abnormal to say the least. MAGA will defend this, I'm sure.

That (bolded above) seems preferable to using federal funds (whether obtained from taxation or borrowing) to influence foreign governments and/or business interests.

 

[PeteEU]

This has been US policy for 80 years.. if not longer. The US has started wars and done coups on behalf of big business.. from Dole to Exxon to even British companies like BP. Nothing new really, other that he most likely is also getting rich himself.

 

[RedFishBlueFish]

If the OP's article chaps the Trump hater's ass, then this next article will REALLY send y'all into conniptions.

How Trump’s Armenia–Azerbaijan Peace Deal Benefits America: A Strategic Win | The Gateway Pundit | by Antonio Graceffo

On August 8, 2025, President Donald Trump presided over a historic peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, marking the end of a 35-year conflict and securing significant strategic and economic benefits for the United States.

www.thegatewaypundit.com

The agreement establishes a permanent ceasefire, mutual recognition of each other’s territorial integrity, and the normalization of diplomatic relations. At its core is the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), a strategic transit corridor connecting Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory. The United States holds exclusive development rights to this corridor, potentially for decades.​

​

The deal also broadens U.S. cooperation with both countries in energy, trade, technology, and defense. It formally dissolves the long-ineffective OSCE Minsk Group, reducing Russian and European influence in the South Caucasus.​

​

U.S. officials estimate the new transit corridor will generate billions of dollars in additional annual trade for Americans, with nine potential U.S. operators already expressing interest and formal negotiations now underway. The agreement grants American companies exclusive development rights, opening the door to major infrastructure projects including rail lines, oil and gas pipelines, and fiber optic networks, ultimately creating a fully integrated connectivity system under U.S. control.​

​

The corridor will also facilitate the flow of energy from the resource-rich Caucasus to Western markets, a development senior officials have described as “enormously powerful” for American business and European energy security. Strategically, the deal weakens the influence of China, Russia, and Iran in a region they have long considered their own domain, while boosting the position of the West.​

​

By enabling travel and trade between Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Central Asia without crossing Iranian or Russian territory, the corridor reduces Western dependence on adversarial nations for critical transport routes. It also strengthens U.S. influence as Moscow’s regional role diminishes in the wake of its Ukraine invasion. Most importantly, by ending decades of conflict that claimed thousands of lives, the agreement brings greater stability to the South Caucasus, directly benefiting U.S. national security interests.​

​

One of the most important regional developments in recent years is Armenia’s strategic pivot to the United States. The peace deal’s most significant long-term benefit is Armenia’s comprehensive realignment from Russia to the West, a geopolitical shift that fundamentally changes the balance of power in the South Caucasus.​

Thanks @Mycroft The Gateway Pundit greatly enhances Debate Politics giving us fresh conspiracy theories to discuss.

 

[roberthughey]

All normal. all sane.

USA first!

 

[ncguy]

Of course, it's not "normal". Normal is not doing anything to restrict China. Normal is not doing anything for US companies. Normal is letting the Globalists **** over the US at every turn.

You are correct. Trump is NOT "normal". Trump is America First.


If you don't give a shit about the US, then you are correct.

Trump is trump first
Huge Tariffs hurt America so he isn't America first

 

[ncguy]

All normal. all sane.

USA first!

Huge Tariffs hurt America

 

[W_Heisenberg]

Leaked documents reveal hidden agenda behind Trump tariff demands

President Donald Trump’s tariff policy has been described by the president as a tool to address the United States’ trade deficits with countries the world over, however, according to leaked government documents obtained by The Washington Post, the policy had a series of other high-priority...

www.rawstory.com

MSN

President Donald Trump’s tariff policy has been described by the president as a tool to address the United States’ trade deficits with countries the world over, however, according to leaked government documents obtained by The Washington Post, the policy had a series of other high-priority objectives that has left experts shocked.

As reported by The Washington Post Saturday, the internal government documents reveal pages of “supplemental negotiating objectives,” among which include using tariffs to pressure countries to offer concessions for companies like the oil giant Chevron or Elon Musk’s Starlink.

“This is the first time I’ve seen that type of request in a trade agreement,” said Wendy Cutler, an American diplomat who spent nearly 30 years as a negotiator with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, speaking with The Washington Post. “When you’re sitting at the negotiating table, you’re not talking about this stuff.”

One portion of the leaked documents detail efforts to pressure the African nation of Lesotho – threatened by Trump with a 50% tariff rate – to grant the renewable energy company OnePower a “five-year withholding tax exemption” for it to develop an energy grid development project.

...A significant share of the hidden objectives behind Trump’s tariffs were centered around combating China and Chinese influence across the globe. The leaked documents show one such objective was to pressure Cambodia using tariffs to prohibit Chinese military deployments near its Ream Naval Base, and another, to pressure Israel to “remove Chinese port ownership” in the country’s port city of Haifa.

The original Washington Post paywalled article is linked in the snippet.

We saw this earlier with Trump's immigration and fentanyl demands, but now we know this has been official policy used around the world.

Should the president be leveraging the US economy in making political/national security demands from other countries?

None of this is normal. None of it is sane.

Using tariffs or the threat of tariffs to give an advantage to individual companies reeks of corruption.

 

[TangoNoCash]

Tariffs are going to be a giant tax hike on Americans. It’s baffling to me people cheer for it.

 

[ttwtt78640]

Using tariffs or the threat of tariffs to give an advantage to individual companies reeks of corruption.

It makes more sense than using government funded subsidies (in various forms) to do so.

 

[Surrealistik]

Leaked documents reveal hidden agenda behind Trump tariff demands

President Donald Trump’s tariff policy has been described by the president as a tool to address the United States’ trade deficits with countries the world over, however, according to leaked government documents obtained by The Washington Post, the policy had a series of other high-priority...

www.rawstory.com

MSN

President Donald Trump’s tariff policy has been described by the president as a tool to address the United States’ trade deficits with countries the world over, however, according to leaked government documents obtained by The Washington Post, the policy had a series of other high-priority objectives that has left experts shocked.

As reported by The Washington Post Saturday, the internal government documents reveal pages of “supplemental negotiating objectives,” among which include using tariffs to pressure countries to offer concessions for companies like the oil giant Chevron or Elon Musk’s Starlink.

“This is the first time I’ve seen that type of request in a trade agreement,” said Wendy Cutler, an American diplomat who spent nearly 30 years as a negotiator with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, speaking with The Washington Post. “When you’re sitting at the negotiating table, you’re not talking about this stuff.”

One portion of the leaked documents detail efforts to pressure the African nation of Lesotho – threatened by Trump with a 50% tariff rate – to grant the renewable energy company OnePower a “five-year withholding tax exemption” for it to develop an energy grid development project.

...A significant share of the hidden objectives behind Trump’s tariffs were centered around combating China and Chinese influence across the globe. The leaked documents show one such objective was to pressure Cambodia using tariffs to prohibit Chinese military deployments near its Ream Naval Base, and another, to pressure Israel to “remove Chinese port ownership” in the country’s port city of Haifa.

The original Washington Post paywalled article is linked in the snippet.

We saw this earlier with Trump's immigration and fentanyl demands, but now we know this has been official policy used around the world.

Should the president be leveraging the US economy in making political/national security demands from other countries?

None of this is normal. None of it is sane.

I mean at this point it's rather obvious that tariffs were meant as tools of coercion above and beyond addressing trade barriers and deficits; always good to have confirmation and evidence of what everyone paying attention already knows though.

 

[Taylor]

A significant share of the hidden objectives behind Trump’s tariffs were centered around combating China and Chinese influence across the globe.

Well, duh.

 

[Jetboogieman]

Of course, it's not "normal". Normal is not doing anything to restrict China.

Biden made massive strides in that department.

Trumps “strategy” is a disaster and will have the opposite effect.

 

[lynnwinslow]

That (bolded above) seems preferable to using federal funds (whether obtained from taxation or borrowing) to influence foreign governments and/or business interests.

The difference being is that historically tariff decisions are made by Congress. Not by one vindictive person.

 

[W_Heisenberg]

It makes more sense than using government funded subsidies (in various forms) to do so.

I don’t agree. In terms of policy, tariffs impose a cost that would not otherwise exist, and subsidies provide a benefit to do business for a business activity that the government thinks is useful for our national interests. One thing makes it harder to do business, the other makes it easier to do business.

With respect to what Trump is doing though, it’s obvious Trump intends to create a racket where individual businesses have to appeal to him personally for the privilege of doing business. It’s a form of rent-seeking. It’s like paying off the mafia so they let you do business. And, if this happens, government intervention in the economy becomes no longer about what’s best for the greater good, but what’s best for Trump personally.

 

[Kelby]

Tariffs are going to be a giant tax hike on Americans. It’s baffling to me people cheer for it.

Take your medicine. It's good for you.

GOP Congressman on Trump Tariffs: ‘Steel Prices Are Up’ but It’s ‘For the Good of the Country’

Representative Ralph Norman (R-SC) acknowledged that prices were up as a result of President Donald Trump's tariffs, yet emphasized that it’s “for the good of the country” in a Saturday appearance on Fox Report With Jon Scott.

www.mediaite.com