> In view of increasing geopolitical unrest, DNB is strengthening its crisis preparedness. Improving the liquidity and tradability of the Dutch gold reserves is part of these preparations. Moreover, a more balanced distribution of these reserves between North America, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands helps to spread risks and will make them more readily available for use in a crisis situation.

The goal is to make these reserves more liquid in the event of a geopolitical crisis. It’s easy to say that Trump was a factor in this decision given that he has been the cause of one geopolitical crisis after another. That hypothetical crisis doesn’t have to directly involve the Netherlands for this to make sense. For example, the price of oil shot way up because Trump decided to poke Iran and having more liquid reserves could make responding to that easier.

> Experts say that rhetoric appears inherently related to the abrasiveness of the Trump administration towards traditional allies.

Also, the “experts” are just right here. Are you gonna say that Trump hasn’t been throwing our allies under the bus?

Means testing often leaves out those on the lower end who straddle the line or get excluded by stupid technicalities. You simply can’t account for every scenario. Excluding any mother means you will exclude someone who needs it.

I would honestly love a national program that gives money to every mother automatically no questions asked.

All of the checks you listed would just serve to make it harder for this money to reach the mothers that need it.