President Trumps use of tariffs as a weapon
Neptune – the planet of overseas and international trade. Photo: Per Jan
On February 1st, American President Donald Trump signed an executive order that many government leaders had feared but also expected. The order imposed a special tariff on goods from China, Mexico, and Canada, and it seems likely that the EU will be the next area to be affected. Panama and Colombia have already felt the immense pressure from the Trump administration and have ultimately had to give in.
Tensions between the US, Denmark, and Greenland remain unresolved. Not only has Trump threatened with special tariffs, but he has also expressed a direct desire to acquire Greenland, take over the Panama Canal, and make Canada the 51st state of the United States. During a press conference on February 5, held in Washington during Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit, Trump further shocked by declaring: "The US will take over the Gaza Strip. We will own it."
For Trump, tariffs are not just a trade policy tool but a political weapon to enforce his will. As he himself has expressed it: "Tariff is the most beautiful word in the dictionary." The 10 percent tariff he has imposed on China is, according to him, merely the first salvo in a longer trade conflict.
To bypass Congress in executing his order, Trump has invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which grants the president authority to impose trade restrictions if national security is at risk. According to Trump, fentanyl (an opioid) and illegal immigration are the biggest threats to the US.
A few days after his inauguration as the 47th American president, Trump threatened Russia with new sanctions. The Russian member of the State Duma, Andrey Gurulyov, reacted sharply: "Look at what Trump is doing! Let's be honest, today he stepped out not as the US president, but as the owner of the world... Is he threatening us? He started with an ultimatum!"
Trump has also threatened the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) with severe consequences if they attempt to establish a common currency.
One can therefore rightfully ask whether Trump's policies are driven more by power than by economics. Tariffs appear to be his preferred tool for exercising global dominance, which becomes evident when observing his actions.
Further confirmation of this thought can be found by looking at the horoscope for Trump's inauguration.
Trump's inauguration 2025
The horoscope is cast for the exact time Trump became president. Three key elements stand out. At the ascending sign (A = ascendant), which represents Trump's appearance or public persona, stands the planet Uranus. This indicates a president who constantly operates in the fast lane marked by impulsiveness and unpredictability. An unpredictability that may sometimes even surprise himself. Statements and actions of shocking and unconventional character can be expected leaving his opponents paralyzed and unable to react effectively. This is further emphasized by the conjunction of the Sun and Pluto in Aquarius in the 10th house. The Sun and Pluto together symbolize the ultimate expression of power—an autocratic ruler, emperor, or dictator who expects to have his way at any cost. This combination suggests a leader who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
Another interesting combination is the conjunction of Venus and Saturn. Ultimately, Trump’s policies revolve around money and power—the ability of wealth to create dominance. This Venus-Saturn connection is also present in Trump’s personal horoscope, as well as in Elon Musk’s. It is no surprise that Trump refers to Musk as "my best buddy!"
February 1st, the date of Trump’s executive order is astrologically quite remarkable. Let's look at the horoscope.
Venus and Neptune align with the North Lunar Node. Lunar Nodes are eclipse points for the Sun and Moon, and in Indian astrology, the North and South Nodes are represented as the head and tail of a serpent. Neptune rules over the oceans and seas, but also over overseas and international trade. Venus is the planet for finance and money. When the slow-moving planets (Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, and Saturn) are in conjunction with the snake's head, it can herald sudden and dramatic events. In this case, affecting global trade. The last time Neptune was in conjunction with the snake's head was in May 2008, just before the global financial crisis. We may therefore be entering a prolonged period of economic instability.
Perhaps a card reading can further elaborate. The question is: how will Trump's tariff measures affect world trade?
How will Trump's tariff measures affect world trade?
The first card, King of Hearts, represents President Donald Trump. There is a clear predominance of diamonds (economy and trade). An executive order has been issued (Jack of Diamonds and 2 of Diamonds) about a special tariff (5 of Diamonds), shaking the global community and causing widespread concern (5 of Diamonds and 7 of Spades). There is no doubt that Trump is trying to pressure and steer the world in a direction he desires by creating uncertainty and fear (King of Hearts, 7 of Spades, and Ace of Spades).
International agreements are being revoked or disregarded. Confusion (7 of Spades) will eventually be replaced by new alliances between nations that no longer trust the USA. Perhaps even unlikely partnerships (5 of Diamonds and 5 of Spades) will begin to form (the sequence 2 of Diamonds, 3 of Diamonds, and 4 of Clubs), where some countries begin to seek new pastures and turn towards China. A development that will be contrary to what the USA desires.
The result may very well be that the USA becomes more and more isolated (King of Hearts, 4 of Clubs). America's treatment of its allies may backfire (5 of Spades and King of Heart). Note that there are many spades (problems, challenges) in the card spread. It suggests that the situation may develop in a more and more difficult direction. This is emphasized by the two fives in the spread and the third five (5 of Clubs) placed at the bottom of the card stack. The number five does not want to follow rules and norms. Three cards of the same value will always act as an amplifier. We can expect a very turbulent time with many confrontations.
It could be interesting to turn our attention to the situation in the USA. What might the cards tell us about this? I asked the following question: What does the future of the USA look like under Trump's second term?
What does the future of the USA look like under Trump's second term?
"USA first" (4 of Hearts) crowns this card spread and runs as a fundamental tone throughout the spread, reflecting a nationalist stance. National security, border control, and the protection of U.S. interests are the main cornerstones for King of Hearts (Donald Trump), who appears again in this spread. The middle row emphasizes the contradictions and challenges that may arise during the presidential period. But who is this second king? Is it Vice President J.D. Vance, or is it Elon Musk, the so-called "shadow president"? We leave that question for a moment!
The card at the bottom of the deck is the King of Diamonds. Three powerful kings are on the table! The two kings in the middle row are reflected in the bottom row. We will experience disagreement and polarization (8 of Spades and 2 of Diamonds) over economic policy (5 of Diamonds). King of Hearts stands over 8 of Spades and 5 of Diamonds (which appears again). Donald Trump will continue to withdraw from international agreements and cooperation. Note that the sum of 8 and 5 gives 13. The same numerical value as a king. He is in a particularly strong position.
However, the King of Clubs stands weak. There are no other clubs on the table. The sum of the cards under him, 5 of Diamonds and 2 of Diamonds, gives 7. His influence is weak. Here the rich man, the King of Diamonds, comes into play. He is the outsider who is brought into the game and who has power over 5 of Diamonds and 2 of Diamonds. This indicates the "shadow president" Elon Musk! His influence is enormous at the moment, raising the question: Can Trump control him? My assessment is—yes, he can!
The falling diamond number sequence indicates that Musk’s influence will decline more and more. Maybe faster than expected.
The two kings in the middle row and the third king indicates a future struggle for power. The king of Clubs is not happy with the King of Diamonds, because the 5 of diamonds and the 2 of diamonds keep him out of influence. The Trump administration may well end up in very serious trouble in the future.
What about the overall future of the USA in this presidency? Adding up the numbers 4, 8, 5, and 2 gives the sum 19. The nine is an Uranian number and the number 1 represents the nation. The USA's self-perception, identity, and role are undergoing a dramatic development. Looking at the two card spreads together we may conclude that we are watching the beginning decline of America's role as the world's greatest superpower, moving towards a multipolar world—a vision long sought after by the superpowers Russia and China.