Photograph by Andrew Harnik/Getty Pictures
Begun, the commerce conflict has.
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1999’s Star Wars: The Phantom Menace is rarely going to be thought-about a cinematic basic on par with the unique trilogy, however its repute is steadily enhancing because the years tick by. That’s partly as a result of those that cherished it as little children at the moment are nostalgia-hungry adults, and partly as a result of compared to among the dreadful Disney-era dreck it could as nicely be Citizen Kane.
However possibly it’s value a rewatch, because it appears we could quickly be residing out its plot. The opening crawl begins “Turmoil has engulfed the Galactic Republic. The taxation of commerce routes to stipulate star methods is in dispute”. For years, this was mocked as a particularly boring technique to start a film about laser swords and area battles, however let’s face it, after Trump’s “Liberation Day” and subsequent international chaos as his tariffs kick in, it’s beginning to sound worryingly acquainted.
“Phantom menace has a nasty plot” chuds wanting actual silly proper now. You are residing it buddy https://t.co/4BUbIQivAr
— Herbert West (@prairie_madness) April 3, 2025
On this comparability, Trump and the White Home could be the Galactic Republic elevating taxes on commerce, the indignant Commerce Federation are the remainder of the world economic system, so the blockade on Naboo could be the equal of the EU placing a hoop of ships round Hawaii and making an attempt to pressure Hawaiian Senator Mazie Hirono to take motion in opposition to Donald Trump.
Okay, possibly it’s not a one-to-one comparability. I don’t know the place Jar Jar Binks and the gungans would match into this, although I can nearly think about Trump and JD Vance as Palpatine and Darth Maul.
Nonetheless, it’s maybe value stating that in Star Wars the tariffs that kicked off all of the drama had been engineered by Palpatine particularly to trigger battle through which he may play each side off each other and seize energy. Trump’s no Palpatine, however many already theorize that the financial downturn attributable to the tariffs will permit the far proper to consolidate their grip on a determined citizens. Both method, many insist that George Lucas predicted all this and deserves an apology:
Everybody watching The Phantom Menace in 1999:
“Why does this matter? Tarrifs and blockades of commerce routes in outer area?”
George Lucas in 2025: pic.twitter.com/6AmPl5TDop
— David Leavitt 🎲🎮🧙♂️🌈 🔜 #PaxEast (@David_Leavitt) March 20, 2025
We owe George Lucas an apology for insulting the commerce conflict plot thread begun in Phantom Menace. pic.twitter.com/gySEoJ3yKi
— Jerry Williams! (@GreaterSapien) April 1, 2025
— kb (@kristianbob) April 3, 2025
If The Phantom Menace actually has spookily predicted our current scenario, possibly we are able to look to the opposite motion pictures for a touch at what comes subsequent. Hm.. Let’s see. Rise of galactic fascism… evil area emperor seizes everlasting energy… the loss of life of just about all of the heroes… big planet destroying area laser. Oh nicely! Not less than we’ll have amusing robots to snicker at!