Do tariffs spell trade war with China? Does Bolton spell actual war?

Dubai: Celebrate good times. That’s at least what the song tells us to do.

Our 100th episode should’ve been cause for celebration. One hundred actual episodes of the three of us pontificating on the Middle East.

Sadly, there is no time to celebrate this week. The skies are increasingly stormy above Washington DC this week, as the threat of a trade war looms large.

Before the weekend, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at its lowest point since 2017, with fear in the markets generated by Donald Trump’s announcement of fresh tariffs on $50 billion (Dh183.5 billion) of Chinese imports, triggering a warning of counter-measures from China.

Experts warn that global equities may witness more pain this week as expectations of a trade war continue to grow.

We look at how Trump may handle conflict on multiple fronts: Economic war with China, Europe, and potentially Canada and Mexico too.

And now, with the appointment of warmongering John Bolton as Trump’s national security advisor, the probability of conflict with Iran and North Korea appears to have escalated.

Dark times, indeed. Just when we thought we’d have some good news to share on this momentous anniversary for Dirhams & Dollars.