It’s not every day that a straightforward commentary can capture the national mood quite like a former president’s brash remarks on the state of trade, tariffs, and the economy. There’s something almost refreshing about the unfiltered discourse, a peek behind the political curtain that makes politics feel a bit like reality TV. Not that anyone needed reminding, but America has apparently been getting a raw deal from just about every country on the planet. It seems that while other nations sipped from our economic fountain of youth, Americans were left holding the bucket.

The former president’s words seem to emphasize that America is a treasure chest of economic opportunity, and every other country wants to pocket a few gems of their own. Many countries have been taking jobs and manufacturing elsewhere, which hardly sits well with the narrative of making America the manufacturing capital once more. However, there is a silver lining in this somewhat bleak tapestry of global trade relations. The U.S. has been cashing in on tariffs, bolstering the notion that America’s economic power is rising, one tariff payment at a time.

It wouldn’t be a trade discussion without the elephant—or dragon—in the room. Namely, China’s prior economic dance with America. They’ve long hauled profits, much to the chagrin of those concerned about U.S. dominance slipping away like sand through an hourglass. The former president seemed confident in his plan to reset the scales of trade justice. According to him, China might make respectable friends to the U.S., but only if they play by new, strict rules. So, if there’s ever been a time for a “trade-off” with China, it’s now.

Then there’s the issue of illegal immigration—a hot-button topic that never fails to stir up conversation. The narrative here shifts to the supposed achievements at the border, proudly broadcasted as a fortress stronger than ever before. While words paint an image of impenetrability, one wonders if it’s all that straightforward. The catch-and-release of bad actors supposedly arriving from all corners of the globe has been curtailed, emphasizing that those who mean ill will find America’s doors firmly shut. It’s a message wrapped in a security blanket made of steel and policy.

And finally, life wouldn’t be complete without a steady price on everyday essentials like eggs. Amid predictions of empty Easter baskets, the economy seems to have avoided a poultry disaster. Grocery prices, once a troubling worry, have charted their course toward normality, with a bit of help from restored drilling and energy production. And as for financial advice to the Fed? The gentle nudge to adjust interest rates offers a hint that perhaps not all disruptions in the economic seas call for a firestorm of change—unless, of course, you’re talking interest rates in an age where indecision incurs its own costs.

All in all, the commentary provides a masterclass in political bravado, laced with enough intricate detail to keep even the most skeptical of political observers on their toes. In a world rife with complexity, this approach offers clarity—or at least, a semblance of it.