{"id":3146,"date":"2026-08-25T10:24:04","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T10:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/?p=3146"},"modified":"2026-08-25T10:24:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T10:24:04","slug":"why-the-trump-administrations-economic-d-day-falls-short-of-expectations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/?p=3146","title":{"rendered":"Why the Trump administration\u2019s \u2018economic D-Day\u2019 falls short of expectations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<header class=\"sc-ad76bc40-0 fNDZoQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 hjlPcO\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 hPBdKJ\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" alt=\"Michael Koziol\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"64\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_128%2Ch_128%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262 2x\" width=\"64\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 libeSR\"\/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 hxoHkT\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 gjmXPs\">Updated <time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-08-25T16:39:33+10:00\">August 25, 2026<!-- --> \u2014 4:39pm<\/time>,<\/span><span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-testid=\"wbr-separator\" class=\"sc-a243f860-1 jIzAbi\"\/><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 gjmXPs\">first published <time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-08-25T15:30:00+10:00\">3:30pm<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 efdRpd noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 iddmiW\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><default:path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"\/><\/default:svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 kskMyR sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/goodfood\/saved\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-12 sc-d1b14060-2 jyLmZI iQLtAb\">saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 yiNod\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqtnv\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqrHP\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-6f94ac39-6 esmrVF\"\/>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p><strong>Washington:<\/strong> Scott Bessent gave the game away when he acknowledged the danger in taking the very step he had just told the world he was going to take.<\/p>\n<p>When the US treasury secretary was asked why he was not immediately applying sanctions to Chinese banks that finance Iran\u2019s oil trade, he replied: \u201cWe are giving everyone the opportunity to remedy bad behaviour. Why would I want to blow up the global financial system?\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.206%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9a8799684335f1b19c4b3dc849874dffc6c1cf4be5da3dae98dc3151523519d7?ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.206%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9a8799684335f1b19c4b3dc849874dffc6c1cf4be5da3dae98dc3151523519d7?ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.206%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9a8799684335f1b19c4b3dc849874dffc6c1cf4be5da3dae98dc3151523519d7?ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.206%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9a8799684335f1b19c4b3dc849874dffc6c1cf4be5da3dae98dc3151523519d7?ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.206%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9a8799684335f1b19c4b3dc849874dffc6c1cf4be5da3dae98dc3151523519d7?ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.206%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9a8799684335f1b19c4b3dc849874dffc6c1cf4be5da3dae98dc3151523519d7?ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.206%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9a8799684335f1b19c4b3dc849874dffc6c1cf4be5da3dae98dc3151523519d7?ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.206%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9a8799684335f1b19c4b3dc849874dffc6c1cf4be5da3dae98dc3151523519d7?ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.206%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9a8799684335f1b19c4b3dc849874dffc6c1cf4be5da3dae98dc3151523519d7?ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.206%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9a8799684335f1b19c4b3dc849874dffc6c1cf4be5da3dae98dc3151523519d7?ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.206%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9a8799684335f1b19c4b3dc849874dffc6c1cf4be5da3dae98dc3151523519d7?ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" alt=\"US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to reporters this week.\" loading=\"lazy\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.206%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9a8799684335f1b19c4b3dc849874dffc6c1cf4be5da3dae98dc3151523519d7?ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.206%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9a8799684335f1b19c4b3dc849874dffc6c1cf4be5da3dae98dc3151523519d7, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.206%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9a8799684335f1b19c4b3dc849874dffc6c1cf4be5da3dae98dc3151523519d7 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><default:g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><default:path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"\/><\/default:g><default:g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><default:path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"\/><\/default:g><\/default:svg><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to reporters this week.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">AP<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Bessent and his boss, Donald Trump, spent the past week building up <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/world\/north-america\/us-issues-ultimatum-to-countries-to-end-all-financial-dealings-with-iran-20260825-p60r64.html\">Monday\u2019s announcement<\/a> (US time) of crippling new sanctions against Iran and its enablers.<\/p>\n<p>They said it would be \u201ceconomic D-Day\u201d. An unprecedented campaign of financial pressure. The White House even billed it as the endgame in the US-Israeli war against Iran.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<aside class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ noPrint\" data-testid=\"related-story\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/world\/north-america\/us-issues-ultimatum-to-countries-to-end-all-financial-dealings-with-iran-20260825-p60r64.html\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.41450000000000004%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_62\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ca8562ec6939cf32ea991ef8703781e65458d66a?ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.41450000000000004%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_62\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ca8562ec6939cf32ea991ef8703781e65458d66a?ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.41450000000000004%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_62\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ca8562ec6939cf32ea991ef8703781e65458d66a?ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.41450000000000004%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_62\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ca8562ec6939cf32ea991ef8703781e65458d66a?ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.41450000000000004%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_62\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ca8562ec6939cf32ea991ef8703781e65458d66a?ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.41450000000000004%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_62\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ca8562ec6939cf32ea991ef8703781e65458d66a?ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.41450000000000004%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_62\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ca8562ec6939cf32ea991ef8703781e65458d66a?ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.41450000000000004%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_62\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ca8562ec6939cf32ea991ef8703781e65458d66a?ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.41450000000000004%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_62\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ca8562ec6939cf32ea991ef8703781e65458d66a?ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.41450000000000004%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_62\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ca8562ec6939cf32ea991ef8703781e65458d66a?ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.41450000000000004%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_62\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ca8562ec6939cf32ea991ef8703781e65458d66a?ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" alt=\"Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the launch of \u201cOperation Economic Outcast\u201d against Iran.\" loading=\"lazy\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.41450000000000004%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_62\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ca8562ec6939cf32ea991ef8703781e65458d66a?ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.41450000000000004%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_62\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ca8562ec6939cf32ea991ef8703781e65458d66a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.41450000000000004%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_62\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ca8562ec6939cf32ea991ef8703781e65458d66a 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>But what Bessent presented fell far short of that. As is often the case with Trump\u2019s bombastic administration, the substance did not match the rhetoric.<\/p>\n<p>There were fresh sanctions against Iran-linked entities, people and ships, but not the big-ticket blacklisting of banks and financial institutions that enable Iranian commerce. To do that, the US would have to hit clearing houses in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, India and Pakistan. Mostly, they would have to hit China.<\/p>\n<p>Most analysts do not believe Trump would take such a measure with Chinese President Xi Jinping\u2019s visit to the White House just weeks away. There is too much on the line for a US president who is wary of a full-blown trade war with China and who may still hold out hope of a grand bargain with Beijing.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel Fried, a distinguished fellow at think tank the Atlantic Council and former assistant secretary of state for Europe, said the new sanctions were \u2013 in Bessent\u2019s own words \u2013 a warning shot, not an \u201ceconomic death blow\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>\u201cNone of the moves was a game-changer. The rhetoric was ferocious, but the punch less so,\u201d Fried said. Going hard, he added, \u201cinvolves costs and risks that Bessent suggested he isn\u2019t eager to bear\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Once again, these actions point to an administration that wants to end the war in Iran but doesn\u2019t know how. Moreover, it has lacked a clear goal ever since Trump\u2019s ambition of regime change went out the window and is operating within political, economic and military constraints.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_8\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57ca0771fbe2445dae20f332c641a20df879c504?ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_8\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57ca0771fbe2445dae20f332c641a20df879c504?ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_8\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57ca0771fbe2445dae20f332c641a20df879c504?ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_8\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57ca0771fbe2445dae20f332c641a20df879c504?ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_8\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57ca0771fbe2445dae20f332c641a20df879c504?ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_8\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57ca0771fbe2445dae20f332c641a20df879c504?ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_8\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57ca0771fbe2445dae20f332c641a20df879c504?ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_8\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57ca0771fbe2445dae20f332c641a20df879c504?ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_8\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57ca0771fbe2445dae20f332c641a20df879c504?ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_8\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57ca0771fbe2445dae20f332c641a20df879c504?ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_8\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57ca0771fbe2445dae20f332c641a20df879c504?ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" alt=\"Donald Trump with Xi Jinping in Beijing in May. To truly inflict economic pain on Iran, the US would have to go after Chinese banks \u2013 and that seems unlikely to happen.\" loading=\"lazy\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_8\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57ca0771fbe2445dae20f332c641a20df879c504?ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_8\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57ca0771fbe2445dae20f332c641a20df879c504, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_8\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/57ca0771fbe2445dae20f332c641a20df879c504 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><default:g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><default:path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"\/><\/default:g><default:g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><default:path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"\/><\/default:g><\/default:svg><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Donald Trump with Xi Jinping in Beijing in May. To truly inflict economic pain on Iran, the US would have to go after Chinese banks \u2013 and that seems unlikely to happen.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Getty Images<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Aaron David Miller, a former State Department negotiator and Middle East expert, wonders if the pain these sanctions are supposed to inflict on Iran will have the desired effect.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat is the desired effect? That\u2019s a core question?\u201d he says. \u201cIs it to break the regime and lay the basis of regime change? Is it to bring the Iranians to the negotiating table so they will somehow give up their leverage and control of the [Strait of Hormuz]? What is the purpose of this?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>Oddly enough, after months of the US trying to engage with the remnants of Iran\u2019s brutal, fundamentalist Islamic regime, Bessent brought the goal of regime change back to the table during his speech on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>He appealed to Iranian soldiers to consider why they might not be receiving their pay. \u201cAsk whether your commanders are leading your country to triumph or to ruin,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd recall that the Berlin Wall fell when ordinary soldiers decided not to shoot at their own people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Their hardline leaders, however, appear unmoved. Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh declared Tehran was \u201cfully prepared\u201d for its enemies to launch what he described as \u201can economic terrorist attack\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Neither China nor Russia had \u201caccepted\u201d the US measures, he said, predicting that other countries would resist them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>The reality is that to seriously bring the Iranian regime to its knees, the US will need to target Chinese banks. There\u2019s little evidence that Trump and Bessent are prepared to take that risk. Bessent said he preferred to use quiet diplomacy to that end. But that\u2019s the opposite of the megaphone he tried to deploy on Monday.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.135%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cde16208c34539b0cd629f0bba7484279b1c5e95?ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.135%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cde16208c34539b0cd629f0bba7484279b1c5e95?ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.135%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cde16208c34539b0cd629f0bba7484279b1c5e95?ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.135%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cde16208c34539b0cd629f0bba7484279b1c5e95?ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.135%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cde16208c34539b0cd629f0bba7484279b1c5e95?ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.135%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cde16208c34539b0cd629f0bba7484279b1c5e95?ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.135%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cde16208c34539b0cd629f0bba7484279b1c5e95?ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.135%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cde16208c34539b0cd629f0bba7484279b1c5e95?ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.135%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cde16208c34539b0cd629f0bba7484279b1c5e95?ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.135%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cde16208c34539b0cd629f0bba7484279b1c5e95?ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.135%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cde16208c34539b0cd629f0bba7484279b1c5e95?ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" alt=\"Scott Bessent: \u201cAt dawn begins an economic D-Day \u2013 the single greatest financial offensive ever marshalled against an adversary.\u201d\" loading=\"lazy\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.135%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cde16208c34539b0cd629f0bba7484279b1c5e95?ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.135%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cde16208c34539b0cd629f0bba7484279b1c5e95, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.135%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/cde16208c34539b0cd629f0bba7484279b1c5e95 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><default:g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><default:path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"\/><\/default:g><default:g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><default:path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"\/><\/default:g><\/default:svg><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Scott Bessent: \u201cAt dawn begins an economic D-Day \u2013 the single greatest financial offensive ever marshalled against an adversary.\u201d<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">AP<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He likened Operation Economic Outcast to the D-Day landings at Normandy during World War II: a massive Allied effort to confront evil.<\/p>\n<p>Except in this case, the US is counting on co-operation from countries that are not allies. And it has spent the past 18 months confronting \u2013 sometimes bullying \u2013 friend and foe alike.<\/p>\n<p><b><i>Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what\u2019s making headlines around the world.<\/i><\/b><a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/newsletter-signup?newsletter=trump-biden-2020\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> <b><i>Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter<\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 fWnQtB\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bhFzjY noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 ksUUFP\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga sc-780f6c39-3 fMMhlQ\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><default:path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"\/><\/default:svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 yEdFV sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/goodfood\/saved\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-12 sc-d1b14060-2 jyLmZI iQLtAb\">saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-0 ksyHqK\">\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-1 LVIFj\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" alt=\"Michael Koziol\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262?ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_80%2Ch_80%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262 2x\" width=\"40\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 libeSR\"\/><span data-testid=\"author-bio\" class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-3 cVMGnz\"><span><a class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm sc-b5b9fd03-2 jcGta-D\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/by\/michael-koziol-hvf7q\">Michael Koziol<\/a> is the North America correspondent for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Sydney editor, Sun-Herald deputy editor and a federal political reporter in Canberra.<\/span><span class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-4 gMBkSk\">Connect via <a class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm sc-b5b9fd03-5 czsZcI\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/michaelkoziol?lang=en\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">X<\/a><span> or <\/span><a class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm sc-b5b9fd03-5 czsZcI\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/world\/north-america\/mailto:michael.koziol@nine.com.au\">email<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 iIZygf sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 hpMljf\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 weWOF\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Updated August 25, 2026 \u2014 4:39pm,first published 3:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA Washington: Scott Bessent gave the game away when he acknowledged the danger in taking the very step he had just told the world he was going to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[1103,5110,268,1037,2831,2832,289],"class_list":["post-3146","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international-news","tag-administrations","tag-dday","tag-economic","tag-expectations","tag-falls","tag-short","tag-trump"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3146"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3146\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3146"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3146"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}