Trump simultaneously suggests the war is nearly complete to reassure investors and threatens "death, fire and fury" to deter adversaries. This is not confusion, but a deliberate dual-messaging strategy to manage both economic fallout and geopolitical posturing, targeting different audiences with different messages.
Erewhon has redefined the supermarket as a luxury brand. Through extreme pricing, exclusive locations, a $200/year paid membership program, and an Instagram-friendly aesthetic, it sells the experience of "being seen" and having taste. The groceries are secondary to the social signaling.
China intentionally avoids costly political and military entanglements, even where it has significant energy interests. It allows rivals like the US to bear the costs of conflict, then pragmatically engages with whomever is in power for post-conflict reconstruction and economic opportunities, a "ruthlessly pragmatic" approach.
Even if the US withdraws from the conflict, Iran has demonstrated its willingness to attack Gulf oil infrastructure. This establishes a new, persistent risk, fundamentally changing the security calculus and embedding a long-term price premium into the market that presidential rhetoric alone cannot erase.
Despite rhetoric about a new global axis, the China-Iran relationship is highly asymmetric. Iran sells over 80% of its crude to China, but this is only about 10% of China's supply. This dependency gives China leverage to remain uninvested in Iran's political survival, viewing it as a useful but disposable partner.