It was a great discussion last evening. I woke up this morning and was still thinking about the Dutch demand to get their gold back (“if you don’t physically have it, you don’t really own it.”).

And indeed, my memory was right about those German reporters who kept calling me wanting to know if I hd heard anything about Germany’s request to get its official gold holdings back from the New York Fed. There apparently has been an embarrassment by the German press to admit that the U.S. browbeat its leaders not to ask for their gold to be trasnsferred back.

The story is even available on Wikipedia under “Gold reparation.” Merz is indeed “Trump’s puppet”:

“In January 2026, amid shifting transatlantic relations and growing concern over the unpredictability of U.S. policy under second Trump administration, German economists and some politicians renewed calls for further repatriation of the nation’s gold reserves held in U.S. vaults, noting that around 37 % of Germany’s holdings, roughly 1,236 tonnes, remains stored at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and arguing that bringing more of it home would enhance financial independence. However, government and Bundesbank officials stressed that no formal plan to withdraw the remaining gold was under consideration.[18]“

Maybe Holland will stiffen its spine.

Meanwhile, I’ve been asked about whether there’s a video of my Vladivostok speech. None yet (except for the all-Russian version, with my voice dubbed in Russian), but I hope Karl has posted my notes by now. They’re for my 7 minute version. I also did a 20 minute talk elaborating my points. I’ve asked the organizers for copies, and will post whatever answer I get.