Songs of Solomon
Tuesday, February 11th, 2025
World Events — Trump’s Tariff is Self Harm
The Economists
Donald Trump’s newly announced 25% tariffs on all aluminum and steel imports, effective March 4, 2025, are poised to harm the U.S. economy and strain relations with key allies. While the tariffs aim to boost domestic production and investment by reducing competition from imports, they disproportionately target friendly nations like Canada and the EU, which supply the majority of U.S. steel and aluminum imports tariff-free. Critics argue that these measures will raise costs for American consumers and industries reliant on these metals, such as automotive and construction, while offering limited benefits to domestic producers. Historically, similar tariffs under Trump’s first term led to only modest increases in U.S. steelmaking capacity without significantly boosting production or employment. Additionally, the global metals market may fragment further as other countries impose retaliatory trade barriers, potentially leading to oversupply and depressed international prices. Economists warn that this approach risks higher consumer prices, reduced competitiveness for U.S. industries, and broader economic disruptions both domestically and globally.
Tech — Huawei’s Smartwatch Labelled as Medical Device
Bloomberg
Huawei’s Watch D2 smartwatch has gained significant popularity in China by being classified as a medical device, allowing consumers to use their state medical insurance accounts to purchase it. The smartwatch, priced at 2,988 yuan ($409), features advanced health-monitoring functions like blood pressure tracking, which qualifies it under Chinese regulations for medical insurance reimbursement. This strategy has driven high demand, with pharmacies in cities like Shanghai seeing long waiting lists and limiting purchases to prevent reselling. However, the classification has sparked controversy, as critics argue that its multifunctionality blurs the line between medical necessity and consumer tech, potentially straining medical resources. In response, some local health insurance bureaus have suspended reimbursements for the device. While this innovative approach has boosted sales during a period of sluggish consumer spending, its overall impact on Huawei’s revenue remains limited due to the relatively small share of wearables in the company’s portfolio.
Business — Hyatt Making Deals; Acquires Playa
Hyatt Hotels Corp. has announced a significant expansion of its all-inclusive resort portfolio with a $2.6 billion deal to acquire Playa Hotels & Resorts NV. The acquisition, announced on February 10, 2025, will see Hyatt pay $13.50 per share for Playa, which operates resorts in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. This move builds upon Hyatt's existing 9.4% ownership of Playa's outstanding shares and follows the company's strategic focus on the all-inclusive market, which began with its initial investment in Playa in 2013. The deal is expected to close later in 2025, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. Hyatt plans to fund the acquisition entirely through new debt financing, with the intention to pay down over 80% of this debt using proceeds from asset sales by the end of 2027. This acquisition further solidifies Hyatt's position in the luxury all-inclusive sector, complementing its previous acquisition of Apple Leisure Group in 2021 and its joint venture with Grupo Piñero in 2024.
Health — Coping with the Fear of Being Left Out
Verywell Mind
The fear of being left out, rooted in the human need for belonging, can trigger feelings of rejection, inadequacy, and loneliness. This fear often stems from early life experiences like childhood exclusion or traumatic events such as bullying, and it can be heightened by mental health conditions like social anxiety or depression. Effective strategies for coping include recognizing and validating your emotions, avoiding negative assumptions about why you were excluded, and engaging in self-reflection to understand the triggers behind your feelings. Communicating your feelings and desire to be included can also be empowering, as others may not realize you feel left out. Building self-confidence by acknowledging your unique qualities and seeking support from others can improve your self-worth. Additionally, engaging in self-care activities and taking the initiative in social situations by organizing plans can alleviate the fear of being left out. It's important to remember that feeling left out is a common experience and doesn't reflect any personal flaw.
Baking — Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
Start your day with these irresistible oatmeal breakfast cookies – a satisfying and delicious treat that's also good for you! Loaded with wholesome oats, crunchy walnuts, and decadent chocolate chips, these cookies deliver a healthy dose of fiber and sustained energy to power your morning. Convenient and portable, they're the perfect grab-and-go option for busy schedules and a delightful way to kick off your day.
Eating Well
Song Rec — Vertigo (Griff)
Quote of the Day
“You think because he doesn’t love you that you are worthless. You think because he doesn’t want you anymore that he is right – that his judgment and opinion of you are correct. If he throws you out, then you are garbage. You think he belongs to you because you want to belong to him. Don't. It’s a bad word, ‘belong’. Especially when you put it with somebody you love. Love shouldn’t be like that. Did you ever see the way the clouds love a mountain? They circle all around it; sometimes you can’t even see the mountain for the clouds. But you know what? You go up top and what do you see? His head. The clouds never cover the head. His head pokes through, because the clouds let him; they don’t wrap him up. They let him keep his head up high, free, with nothing to hide him or bind him. [...] You can’t own a human being. You can’t lose what you don’t own. Suppose you did own him. Could you really love somebody who was absolutely nobody without you? You really want somebody like that? Somebody who falls apart when you walk out the door? You don’t, do you? And neither does he. You’re turning over your whole life to him. Your whole life, girl. And if it means so little to you that you can just give it away, hand it to him, then why should it mean any more to him? He can’t value you more than you value yourself.” — Toni Morrison, Songs of the Solomon