January 23, 2026

 

(PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS A PhD IN BACKFLIP ARTISTRY)

 

January 23, 2026

 

Hello everyone

President Trump stands down on his tariff-linked Greenland push.

Are we surprised?

No.

Donald Trump seems to act as a mirror to chaos, designed to get what he wants even if it’s not quite the 100% package.

After talking tough about tariffs on European countries that would not agree to his Greenland thesis, and creating much alarm and trepidation amongst countries, investors, and the stock market, President Trump has backed down and calmed the landscape by stating that he has successfully formed a framework of a deal for the United States’ acquisition of Greenland with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The backflip on the Greenland takeover and threatened tariffs saw stock markets soar.

At the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, President Trump used his speech to assure leaders he would not use military force to acquire Greenland.

The military backdown brought some measure of calm to worried investors, counties and the stock market.

However, we are not fooled by Trump’s change of plan; strategy number two came into play immediately.  In other words, we saw that he called for “immediate” negotiations to bring the Danish territory under US control, saying he would not be satisfied with anything less than full US ownership.

President Trump’s speech was dotted with both respect for the people of Greenland, a sort of show and tell about America’s economic dominance, and what could be interpreted as disrespectful remarks about European leaders (I think they are used to it now). 

One of his particular rationales for ownership of Greenland was the idea that the people of this Arctic region would not be able defend themselves against a foreign enemy. 

We will follow President Trump’s movements here with interest as he attempts to dot the I’s on this “project” and hastens toward ticking Greenland off as a “done deal” on his list.

WHAT SURPRISES VISITORS WHEN THEY COME TO AUSTRALIA?

This is particularly for all my foreign subscribers.  I’m sure all my Aussie subscribers are familiar with what I’ll outline here, but reading it may bring a smile to your face.

So, let’s get on.

Movies, social media, and tourist literature in foreign countries have all shed light on Australia, its peculiarities, and its culture.

But what really gets tourists wide-eyed when they visit Australia?

Let’s start with wildlife.  Many visitors expect to see kangaroos – a soft and cuddly animal – jumping down city streets.  Aussies are aware that a kangaroo – especially the Reds, which have a very muscular build – can be anything but docile, and will attack and scratch in defence of territory. Then there are the maggies – the magpies, a black and white bird that can become very territorial when it is nesting season.  The unwary tourist can be swooped on and dive-bombed, which can result in a bloodied scalp.  The Aussie advice is – never look up if you find yourself within the vicinity of a swooping magpie, wear a hat, or a hoodie and sunglasses, and take an umbrella, or find a stick to wave at the bird.  Become familiar with the areas where magpies nest and avoid them during September and October.

 

 

 

Now to the Aussie sun – many Brits and other European people have skin that looks like it’s never seen the sun, and they are the ones who often suffer the consequences of no Slip, Slop, and Slap. 

Visitors may go for a hike or have a picnic in the park or a day at the beach and think nothing of the sun’s potential sting.  They soon find out that when you do not Slip on a shirt, Slop on sunscreen (the strongest type), and Slap on a hat (with the widest brim), you will experience the bite of the sun in the worst possible way.  The skin is red, hot, and very painful.  And then it peels away.  People forget the pain of the experience and end up repeating the behaviour.   A bit like childbirth – women go through excruciating pain, and they swear never again, only to be back in the birthing suite a year later, going through the same thing.  (Just a heads up – there are several things you can do to stop that happening).

 

Let’s move on to the beaches – many tourists seem confused.  I cannot understand why.

We have many signs on the beaches, not only written in English and many other languages, but also using symbols, which, you would think, would be very clear. 

Flag signs – signalling to swim between the flags.  How can you get that wrong, especially when tourists can see where most of the people are swimming? 

Board riders ( & a picture symbol of a surfboard and a rider) = for those who surf the waves.  Pretty clear, isn’t it?

No Dogs on the Beach = don’t bring your dog to the beach.  Take it for a walk along the path above the beach or take it to a section of the beach where you will see Dogs Allowed.

 

 

 

Bunnies = Bunnings Hardware Store.  Tourists have discovered it’s a weekend destination for many Aussies, where you can not only get your garden supplies, hardware supplies, and pretty much anything else, but also a sausage burger (cooked on the spot) from the Bunnies team next to the car park.  Apparently, they are very good.

And then there’s our slang – very confusing to most visitors.

Yeah, nah = I don’t think so.

No worries = it’s all good.

Servo = service station or gas station (US)

Arvo = afternoon

And this one is quite unique.

Feet = dogs.  (Get your dogs on the sand, or on the grass)

These are just a few slang terms we use in Australia.  There are so many more.  I used to teach Aussie slang to my TEFLA students.  It certainly provided an equal measure of amusement and confused looks on my students’ faces.

 

 

UPDATE ON GOLD, SILVER & PLATINUM TARGETS

GOLD – targets = 4,929.40 (already met) & then 5,188.00 ~

SILVER – 98.60 (already met) & then 101~ & then multiple targets between 110-112~ (I would be taking a large chunk of your profits – a healthy profit as we approach 101).  We can then re-assess.

PLATINUM -2,309 & 3076~

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Matt Oliver (Precious Metals Analyst)

 

 

MY CORNER

 

Wallabies – mother and baby – taking it easy in my backyard. 

 

And, for all the Aussies here, have a great long weekend.  (I’ll be taking it easy on the beach, getting some rays (sunshine) and just chillin’.  And enjoying the Australian Open Tennis.   Be safe & take care.

 

 

Cheers

Jacquie