H-1B Visa – Top Talent Only


Posted originally on Sep 23, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |  

Jobs

Hiring new talent from abroad will cost employers hefty fines under new provisions to the H-1B visa. Amid the push for American companies to hire American workers, Donald Trump has raised the application fee for the H-1B visa from $1,700-$4,500 to $100,000.

Over 70% of H-1B visa holders are Indian citizens, as reported by Fortune. “This measure is likely to have humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused for families,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in its official statement. “Government hopes that these disruptions can be addressed suitably by the US authorities.” Chinese nationals hold the second-largest number of H-1B visas at 12%.

Hundreds of visa holders have returned to the United States from overseas as they fear they may be unable to re-enter. The White House issued follow-up statements to clarify that the new one-time fee does not apply to those who already hold H-1B visas.

Companies wishing to import talent to the US must be willing to invest in the best and brightest. There is concern that the measure could stifle innovation by preventing potential talent from entering the US workforce. However, the Trump Administration is validly concerned about rising unemployment.

The number of unemployed Americans exceeds the available jobs. US employers have reduced their workforce more in the first seven months of 2025 than in all of 2024. AI is replacing around 491 tech jobs per day. We’ve seen a 36% decline in tech jobs this year compared to last as technology advances. The US outsourced 300,000 tech-based jobs overall to India as offshoring trends continue. Not only is labor cheaper, but India produces over 1.5 million engineering graduates annually. The tech sector is especially vulnerable to this increased visa fee as 80% of computer-related H-1B workers are from India. Additionally, the big tech companies have the most H-1B visa holders on their payroll. Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft each employ over 4,000 H-1B workers.

American companies remain the most desirable workplaces in the world, as the payout far surpasses European salaries. The UK noted on Monday that it is considering eliminating some visa fees to attract top talent that is blocked from entering the US. The UK and Europe are indeed more desirable than China or India, but workers still want to come to America for the most lucrative opportunities.

If companies are willing to invest $100,000 in an employee, then that person is top-tier talent. The question remains whether American companies can hire domestically and maintain the same level of innovation aptitude.

Thailand Freezes Over 3 Million Bank Accounts


Posted originally on Sep 23, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |  

CardDeclined.Banking

Thailand has become a case study for the use of biometric data in every facet of life. Every banking transaction is monitored and scrutinized. Any perceived discrepancy is flagged as fraud and punished without due process. Regulations have overwhelmed the system, resulting in a full-fledged banking crisis. Over three million Thai bank accounts were frozen instantaneously without warning as a result of government overreach.

Transaction denied. You contact your bank to see why the payment failed only to learn that your account has been frozen–all of your accounts, for that matter. The bank is investigating you for suspicious activity and potential money laundering or fraud. There was no warning call or letter and there is no clarification as to what transaction was flagged. You’re completely locked out of your accounts and have lost the ability to purchase. You cannot fill your gas tank, you cannot purchase groceries, you’ve been completely removed from the financial system, and do not know when or if you’ll regain access to your funds.

This is the reality for millions of people banking in Thailand. The Bank of Thailand (BoT), with the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, began an excessive crackdown on perceived fraud and streamlined the process under the premise of safeguarding the banking sector. Thousands of accounts are frozen each week. Panic has ensued. Retailers are no longer accepting cards, demanding payment in cash as they, too, are worried that they will be removed from the banking system.

Assistant Governor of the BoT, Darunee Saeju, publicly stated that the central bank is working to “immediately unlock wrongly affected accounts.” Saeju insists that new measures will enable the banks to verify accounts in under 48 hours. Confidence in the government and the entire banking system evaporated. People rationally fear that their account will be targeted next, without warning. Government overreach has backfired, and the people are removing themselves from the banking system entirely.

This phenomenon is not limited to Thailand. Vietnam recently erased 86 million unverified bank accounts. Governments are demanding banks track every transaction, tracing each account back to individual citizens using biometric data. The government believes these provisions will prevent capital from leaving the radar and, therefore, taxation. Instead, governments are propelling the cycle amid this private wave, as the people cannot possibly trust the current financial system.

Happy 100th Birthday Joe


Posted originally on Sep 22, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |  

Cousin Joe

My cousin Joe is now 100 years old today. His advice is that the first 99 years are the hardest.

To have your wits at 100 is truly a blessing!

Happy Birthday!

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I hope Trump sends him a real Letter – no Autopen Shit!

Mass Protests Against Austerity Measures in France


Posted originally on Sep 22, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |  

Over 100,000 people took to the streets of France to protest government mismanagement. The people are demanding that Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reverse former Prime Minister François Bayrou’s decision to cut €44 billion in services. The government cannot maintain steady confidence and therefore leadership; Lecornu is the fifth prime minister in two years under President Emmanuel Macron. The deeper-rooted issue of fiscal irresponsibility has been lost, as the people still believe government spending can be offset through taxation.

Thousands voiced support for the Zucman tax, named after economist Gabriel Zucman, who proposed a 2% rate on assets surpassing €100 million. The proposal was passed by the lower house of Parliament but later blocked by the Senate over the summer. The proposal was estimated to generate 20 billion euros annually and would have impacted 1,800 wealthy households. What if people flee for a nation with lower taxes? The European Union is actually considering a bloc-wide taxation on wealth to compensate for fleeing capital.

As for France, the national debt stands at €3.345 trillion, equivalent to approximately 113.9% of its GDP. France surpassed the 100% debt-to-GDP threshold in 2020 and has been rapidly spiraling further down the hole. Estimates state that debt levels will rise to 121% of GDP by 2027, and yet, the government continues to spend without regard for budgets. Government spending will reach a low estimate of 57.6% of GDP in 2025.

France spends 14% of its GDP on its failing pension system, and retirees now outearn working-aged adults. Social protections at large compose 40% of national spending. Macron raised the defense budget to 64 billion euros or 2.3% of GDP, with plans to increase spending to 3.5%-5% to meet NATO requirements.

Governments raise taxes, cut services, and claim they are “saving.” The people believe that everyone must pay their fair share into the system and are targeting the rich for paying less. The rich could give all their wealth to the French government and it would still remain beneath current spending and debt levels.

Austerity never works because it punishes the people for the errors of politicians. The bureaucrats waste money on ideological projects, endless regulation, and absurd pension promises, and when the bill comes due, they demand ordinary citizens tighten their belts to pay. This is why the French are famous for taking to the streets.

Lula Refuses to Speak with Trump


Posted originally on Sep 22, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |  

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva scaled

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is actively destroying a once-growing economy. Lula told the BBC he refuses to maintain diplomatic ties with the United States under Donald Trump, and Brazil is losing the title of Latin America’s top exporter to the US. “The American people will pay for the mistakes President Trump is incurring in his relationship with Brazil,” Lula warned.

“I don’t have a relationship with Trump because when Trump was elected the first time, I wasn’t president. His relationship is with Bolsonaro, not Brazil,” Lula responded when asked why he has not spoken to Trump directly. This is not the quality of a leader. Diplomatic ties are essential for cooperation and world trade. Trump may have placed a 50% tariff on Brazil, but Lula is refusing to negotiate or speak with him directly to make a deal.

Lula is willing to maintain diplomatic ties with Russia and China. In fact, Lula has actually broken step with the globalists by continuing to purchase Russian crude. “Brazil doesn’t finance Russia, we buy oil from Russia because we need to buy oil just like China, India, the UK or the US needs to buy oil,” he stated. Lula has directly engaged with Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping under the BRICS alliance. Yet, since Lula personally dislikes Trump, he refuses to have any open dialogue.

Brazil will not permit an anti-establishment president. Bolsonaro was once considered the Donald Trump of Latin America and the men maintained close ties despite countless disagreements. As mentioned, Lula was losing in the polls and that is why the establishment silenced Bolsonaro permanently with political lawfare.

Lula’s war on Bolsonaro is not over. He believes the US is harboring Bolsonaro’s family and would like to lure them back to prosecution. “But I am a compassionate man, a family man. I would love dearly to have his son Eduardo to come meet his beloved father back in his country of birth. I will even grant an executive dispensation to make sure they are together and close in Brasil – perhaps even in the cell right beside or opposite the father’s. As a personal favor,” Lula mocked.

Brazil is risking losing access to its second-largest export market, potentially resulting in a $20 billion annual loss, all because the current president will not engage with his opponent’s supporters. Total goods traded with the US reached $92 billion in 2024—this is a strategic alliance. Donald Trump is a businessman first and foremost. He is willing to talk with anyone. The 50% tariff is excessive, but it was intended to encourage Lula to initiate dialogue.

Newborn Vaccine Requirement Under Investigation


Posted originally on Sep 22, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |  

Vaccinate Baby

Hepatitis B is transmitted through infected blood and bodily fluids, often through sexual intercourse. Why does the US health system insist that newborns receive a vaccination against an STD at birth? Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine panel plans to re-evaluate the mandate.

The current recommendation states that newborns should be vaccinated against hepatitis B within the first 24 hours of birth. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, has delayed voting on updated guidelines due to the controversy.

The vaccine panel voted to recommend testing for hepatitis B in pregnant women as the disease can be transferred from mother to baby. Pharmaceutical company Merck, who recently moved a multi-million dollar facility from the UK to the US, insists the vaccine is safe and effective at birth. Yet, there are no concrete studies to show whether or not the risks outweigh the benefits.

This disease is not airborne nor can be passed through coughing, sneezing, or close contact. There must be an exchange of bodily fluid, and the primary infector here would be the mother (vertical transmission). If the disease cannot be spread through anything other than bodily fluid, why is the medical community insistent on a mandate? Parents should have the ability to chose the best course of action for their baby’s health.

Health complications from the vaccine are rare, but never zero. “Six studies reported serious adverse events (SAEs) such as the requirement for escalation of respiratory support. However, these occurred predominantly in high-risk infant populations and were rare (~1%),” a study published by the National Library of Medicine detailed. The study also notes a decreased risk of adverse side effects among newborns vaccinated after one week of birth. Yet, the study also explains the importance of catching the disease early. “Infection in the newborn or during early childhood leads to chronic hepatitis in 95% of infections, whereas infection acquired during adulthood is less likely to lead to chronic disease, with less than 5% of patients in this category.”

“I believe that this vaccine is absolutely critical for babies that are treated,” said member Retsef Levi, who has been vocal about his opposition to RNA vaccines. “But this notion that we sit here with very lousy evidence and argue there is no problem whatsoever [with administering the shot at birth] is not building trust, and it’s not scientific and it’s not what the public here should expect from us.”

The panel is considering updating the recommendation to infants at one month of age. “As people have asked, why would we pick one month? Why two? There’s no evidence that it’s safer at a later time,” Meissner said. “It’s an extremely safe vaccine, a very pure vaccine. So I think we will be creating new doubts in the minds of the public that are not justified.”

Others believe there is insufficient evidence. “I believe that there’s enough ambiguity here and enough remaining discussion about safety, effectiveness, and timing that I believe that a vote today would be premature,” Dr. Robert Malone said.

The bottom line is that we have a string of vaccines pushed upon the population from birth until death that have not been properly tested. Those who fund the studies also profit from the vaccinations, which is precisely the problem. Before Kennedy, no one questioned whether or not the guidelines coming from health agencies were backed by actual science. There were very few vaccination mandates for newborns a few decades ago, and now, babies in America receive FIFTEEN doses of vaccinations during their first year of life—and “the science” cannot clearly show whether these concoctions are “safe and effective.”

The World According to Martin Armstrong – An Amazon Bestseller


Posted originally on Sep 21, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

KerryLutzBook

The World According to Martin Armstrong

We’re closing in on 3,000 copies sold — and for good reason. This book has already become an Amazon Bestseller, and it’s the only place you’ll find all of Martin’s major forecasts collected in one volume.

Over the past 14 years, more than 15 of these forecasts have come true — and many are still unfolding right now.

From sovereign debt crises, political upheavals, energy shocks, and the turning points in gold, silver, and equities — it’s all here, straight from the man who built Socrates.

As one reader put it:

“This book is the Rosetta Stone of Martin’s work. To see all the forecasts laid out in one place shows you just how accurate — and how consistent — he’s been.”

Whether you’re a longtime follower or just discovering Armstrong Economics, this is the essential reference to understand the cycles driving our world.

Interview: False Flags to Trigger World War 3?


Posted originally on Sep 21, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |  

Interview: Europe’s Economic Turmoil, Political Uprisings, & Global Tensions


Posted originally on Sep 21, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |  

Interview: Gold, Stocks, Geopolitical & Dollar Surge


Posted originally on Sep 20, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |