The article argues that the Federal Reserve's recent rate hike decision, while justifiable on inflation grounds, highlights a critical lack of an underlying, transparent policy framework. The core problem is that the Fed's decisions appear discretionary, leading to market uncertainty because the committee's judgment, rather than clear data, dictates policy shifts. The author proposes that the Fed adopt a formal monetary policy rule—an algebraic formula linking the target rate to indicators like inflation and unemployment—to replace subjective guidance. Implementing such a rule would provide market predictability, enhance transparency, and shield the Fed from political attacks by making deviations from the standard easily quantifiable.
Trump’s dangerous Taiwan gamble
English Summary
The Brookings article argues that Donald Trump's ambiguous comments regarding Taiwan—specifically suggesting that U.S. security support is negotiable leverage with China—dangerously undermine decades of established U.S. deterrence policy. By implying that Taiwan must 'cool down' and questioning the necessity of military intervention, Trump signals to Beijing that America's commitment is conditional. This shift from resolute deterrence to dealmaking will not reduce, but rather intensify, Chinese pressure on Taiwan. Therefore, the U.S. must maintain a consistent, unwavering focus on upholding stability in the Taiwan Strait and resist using Taiwan's security status as a bargaining chip with Beijing.
中文摘要
布魯金斯學會的文章指出，唐納德·川普關於台灣的模稜兩可言論——特別是暗示美國的安全支持是可與中國協商的籌碼——嚴重動搖了美國數十年來建立的威懾政策。川普暗示台灣必須「降溫」，並質疑軍事介入的必要性，向北京發出訊號：美國的承諾是有條件的。這種從堅定威懾轉向交易思維的轉變，不會減輕，反而會加劇中國對台灣的壓力。因此，美國必須維持一致且堅定的重點，致力於維護台灣海峽的穩定，並抵制將台灣的安全地位作為與北京談判的籌碼。
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