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Wednesday, Feb 05, 2025 - 02:35 SGT
Posted By: Gilbert

That Mad Genius!


Akiyama Amerika, that incalculable tactician!
[Embiggen!]
(Source: mangakakalot.com)


As tends to be the case nowadays, the online Reddit peanut gallery has been up in arms over (and confused by) the GOD-EMPEROR's seemingly crazy move to slap 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and 10% additional tariffs on China, with the promise of European tariffs to come. Seeing as the Liar Game manga has basically spoilered both the Pandemic Game arc (approximately late 2020 to 2022) and the Musical Chairs arc (beginning from the Russian invasion of Ukraine in mid-2022), it is hopefully not too much of a stretch to turn to it for inspiration again; and lo and behold, the explanation presents itself, from the Human Auction arc!

There is game-theoretic method to the seeming madness, induitably, even recognizing that the surface-level justification of deterring illegal immigration and fentanyl imports is probably mostly an excuse. Taking a step back to objectively survey Amerika/Akiyama's situation, we have the recognized leader of The Game coming under heavy pressure by his rising rival China/Yokoya, who is (not-so) stealthily assembling a coalition of his own (i.e. BRICS/SCO etc.), with his fat bankroll. And, as the Liar Game has repeatedly shown, there really are next to no "permanent friends" in The Game; just allies of convenience (supported by mainstream and social media propaganda)

It shouldn't need to be said, but Amerika/Akiyama's position is more precarious than his domestic FAKE NEWS outlets are letting on. A humongous national debt and aggregate trade deficit is one thing, but the loss of the bulk of the country's industrial base is quite another - one that is likely to be quickly fatal if actual conflict occurs, and next to insurmountable in a lesser quasi-Cold War scenario, if the guys who can still manufacture tangible stuff (hint: they're mostly on the Red side now) start to turn the screws. Given that the U.S. left has been seeing neither reason nor reality for some time, however, it was down to Orange Akiyama to deal out some shock and awe!

Meanwhile, the rest of "Team" Blue is in a panic, with Canada, Mexico and Europe all pledging to go it themselves:



Team Red will be running out of arms anytime now!
[Embiggen!]
(Source: mangakakalot.com)


Of course, the initial indignation and (empty) sound and fury over Akiyama/Amerika's force majeure done with, cruel reality reasserts itself:



Just one minor detail
[Embiggen!]
(Source: mangakakalot.com)


Well, as of now, Canada and Mexico have bent the knee in time, with their initial concessions buying them a month to demonstrate their sincerity towards the U.S.A.'s hegemony - the only logical move, given TRUMP's anti-retaliation clause that promised further tariff increases if they tried to hit back. China was not going to be afforded that courtesy (and neither were they about to bow - this early, at least), and have countered with tariffs on energy, agricultural machinery and cars. The detailed analysis will have to wait for Twilight Struggle: New Moon to resume, but for now, let us bask in the strategic brilliance of the greatest political genius of our time...



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