🇺🇸 Donald Trump
Republicans say they hate communists. So why do they like Donald Trump?
What happened
The US has moved from being one of the countries with the least state control of the economy to 16th place since 2025, according to the V-Dem project. The Trump administration has taken stakes in companies deemed essential for national security, including Intel and Westinghouse. Trump has acquired a "golden share" in Nippon Steel and blackmailed the company to do so. The US government's stake in the economy is smaller than in 163 countries.
Why it matters
The shift towards state control of the economy matters because it challenges Republican claims that Democrats are pushing for communism. The Trump administration's actions may be seen as a form of socialism, but it is not the same as the kind of socialism favored by the Soviet Union. The implications of Trump's economic policies are significant for the future of the US economy.
Key facts
- The US has moved from being one of the countries with the least state control of the economy to 16th place since 2025.
- The Trump administration has taken stakes in companies deemed essential for national security.
- The US government's stake in the economy is smaller than in 163 countries.
Topics
Publisher evidence used
Reporting attributed to theguardian.com. WorldLeadersNews links readers to the publisher and does not present a headline-only item as a full article analysis.
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