Kudlow says Japan's Abenomics was a restructuring and reflationary program whose deregulatory and private-sector efficiency aspects worked. After more than a decade, Japan can now sit back and enjoy the benefits, implying a favorable Japanese economic and investment backdrop.
Kudlow argues the most important story is not Treasury debt management but a US economic boom driven by President Trump's policies, especially the tax bill with 100% depreciation. He points to manufacturing, construction and employment growth, a massive stock market rally, and enormous profits as the 'mother's milk of stocks,' noting S&P 500 profits are up 53% year on year and Wall Street expects 25% future earnings growth.
The 100% expensing provisions in the tax bill are producing a US capex boom in machinery, equipment, buildings and AI construction. Non-defense capital goods ex-aircraft orders rose 16.2% over three months, shipments rose 16.7%, backlogs rose 9.2%, and year-on-year orders rose 13%, with manufacturing and construction jobs growing as a result.