Rising hopes of easing tensions in the trade war between the US and China. 

Donald Trump's signalling a potential U-turn, saying the 145% tariffs on Chinese goods are "very high" and will "come down substantially". 

But the two countries are yet to hold any formal trade talks. 

Economist Doug Holtz-Eakin —a former adviser to John McCain— told Mike Hosking if Trump keeps waiting for Xi Jinping's call, he'll be waiting a long time. 

He says China has no reason to come to the table, and intermediaries will need to get involved to get both sides talking. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Rising hopes of easing tensions in the trade war between the US and China.&nbsp;
Donald Trump's signalling a potential U-turn, saying the 145% tariffs on Chinese goods are "very high" and will "come down substantially".&nbsp;
But the two countries are yet to hold any formal trade talks.&nbsp;
Economist Doug Holtz-Eakin —a former adviser to John McCain— told Mike Hosking if Trump keeps waiting for Xi Jinping's call, he'll be waiting a long time.&nbsp;
He says China has no reason to come to the table, and intermediaries will need to get involved to get both sides talking.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.

Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.

The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more.

The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.

Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.

The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Doug Holtz-Eakin: Economist and former advisor to John McCain on potential easing tensions between the US and China

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1accc503-a24f-4b9b-8b20-b2c8014e6051/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 23rd of February, Trade Minister Todd McClay responds to Trump's latest tariff threat and whether it's real and can be enforced.

The Prime Minister comments on the tariffs, the surcharges bill and the public sector vs what the Government want to achieve.

Jason Pine and Andrew Saville cover off the sport and concerts over the weekend.

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

LISTEN ABOVE

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 23rd of February, Trade Minister Todd McClay responds to Trump's latest tariff threat and whether it's real and can be enforced.
The Prime Minister comments on the tariffs, the surcharges bill and the public sector vs what the Government want to achieve.
Jason Pine and Andrew Saville cover off the sport and concerts over the weekend.
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 23 February 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0135bb34-cd3f-4b9d-b717-b3f9014c890b/transcript

It's taken a while but we got there at last.

Move-on orders.

Clear lines of responsibility and delineation for police to actually fix a problem that has existed for too long in our central city areas.

As the debate bounces back and forward this week have a look at those who ask "where do they go?"

They ask that because it’s the easy question to ask. It’s the point-scoring question to ask.

It’s the question you ask when you don’t actually have to deal with the problem.

The previous Government, who will be one of the people asking that very question, stuck them in motels and ruined entire towns like Rotorua.

They stuck them in social housing and ruined entire neighbourhoods, as the agency responsible evicted exactly zero people despite antisocial, and often criminal, behaviour.

In other words they gave greater priority to troubled menaces than they did to wider society that simply wanted to get on with life.

Downtowns, whether Wellington, Christchurch or Auckland, need help and have needed help for years.

We were at lunch a couple of weeks ago in the central city for a birthday. The drugged-out woman screaming her head off on the bench outside was doing her best to ruin everyone's Saturday.

The music in the restaurant had to be turned up to a level that you could no longer hear each other talk. But what was the proprietor supposed to do?

What is any business supposed to do when you have to step over the down and out, the drugged out and the violent, simply to unlock your door?

The apologists paint these people as harmless. They are not.

They paint them as lost and wayward. They are not.

They are law breakers who cause a disproportionate amount of trouble to people who don't deserve it.

As a result of an apologist mentality no one has known what to do, like retail crime and Yaris' through windows a few years back.

Toughen up the laws and you'll be amazed how quickly the problem gets solved.

LISTEN ABOVE

It's taken a while but we got there at last.
Move-on orders.
Clear lines of responsibility and delineation for police to actually fix a problem that has existed for too long in our central city areas.
As the debate bounces back and forward this week have a look at those who ask "where do they go?"
They ask that because it’s the easy question to ask. It’s the point-scoring question to ask.
It’s the question you ask when you don’t actually have to deal with the problem.
The previous Government, who will be one of the people asking that very question, stuck them in motels and ruined entire towns like Rotorua.
They stuck them in social housing and ruined entire neighbourhoods, as the agency responsible evicted exactly zero people despite antisocial, and often criminal, behaviour.
In other words they gave greater priority to troubled menaces than they did to wider society that simply wanted to get on with life.
Downtowns, whether Wellington, Christchurch or Auckland, need help and have needed help for years.
We were at lunch a couple of weeks ago in the central city for a birthday. The drugged-out woman screaming her head off on the bench outside was doing her best to ruin everyone's Saturday.
The music in the restaurant had to be turned up to a level that you could no longer hear each other talk. But what was the proprietor supposed to do?
What is any business supposed to do when you have to step over the down and out, the drugged out and the violent, simply to unlock your door?
The apologists paint these people as harmless. They are not.
They paint them as lost and wayward. They are not.
They are law breakers who cause a disproportionate amount of trouble to people who don't deserve it.
As a result of an apologist mentality no one has known what to do, like retail crime and Yaris' through windows a few years back.
Toughen up the laws and you'll be amazed how quickly the problem gets solved.
LISTEN ABOVE

Mike's Minute: It's about time we had move-on orders

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/107d6212-fbfb-48e3-bdf4-b3f90149c9bc/transcript

There was drama on and off the pitch for Wellington Phoenix this weekend.

Following a 5-0 loss to Auckland FC, coach Giancarlo Italiano resigned from his role as coach.

The team still faces eight games before the playoffs, with the team currently placed 10th in the A-League. 

Former Wellington Phoenix and All Whites coach Ricki Herbert told Mike Hosking that time will tell if this is the right decision. 

LISTEN ABOVE

There was drama on and off the pitch for Wellington Phoenix this weekend.
Following a 5-0 loss to Auckland FC, coach Giancarlo Italiano resigned from his role as coach.
The team still faces eight games before the playoffs, with the team currently placed 10th in the A-League.&nbsp;
Former Wellington Phoenix and All Whites coach Ricki Herbert told Mike Hosking that time will tell if this is the right decision.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Ricki Herbert: Former Phoenix and All Whites coach discusses sudden exit of Phoenixs' coach

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7c8a41ae-2347-4c3b-98d6-b3f90146a05f/transcript

Doug Holtz-Eakin: Economist and former advisor to John McCain on potential easing tensions between the US and China

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