No doubt President Trump deserves criticism for a variety of sins of omission or commission but, in my opinion, he is spot on in his campaign of opposition against the over-weening and exceedingly dangerous ambitions of China. I draw a distinction here between the people of China who over recent times have suffered cruelly at the hands of both their own leaders and foreign invaders. The fact that (on the whole!) they are now enjoying the fruits of prosperity is, in the immortal words of Sellar & Yeatman, authors of the greatest history book ever written, "A Good Thing". However, they should make the most of it while it lasts because they are now in the clutches of some power-mad thugs with delusions of grandeur and ambitions to rule the world. This will only end badly, for us but even worse for them!
Having just finished Tim Bouverie's superb history of Chamberlain vs. Hitler, I am now all too well aware of how our politicians will duck and dive and try anything to appease foreign megolomaniacs - to be fair, so would many of their voters! I suspect the same holds true today in the face of increasing arrogance and belligerance from the Chinese government in all quarters of the globe. Trump is absolutely correct to start drawing lines and defending them. Yes, it may well cause disruption but that will be nothing compared to the calamities that will ensue if China continues to swagger its way round the globe unapposed.
Box clever, Donald, but keep boxing!
Diplomad has a good take.
https://www.thediplomad.com/2019/05/braking-china.html
Nobody in the West wanted to confront Communist China until now, late in the game. The 21st Century is up for grabs in what is the beginning of a new cold war. This trade war is going to hurt everyone and China's current advantage is the fact that their "president" has the job for life...meaning as long as the Communist Party is secure with him. The West, USA especially, holds elections and every enemy of the West waits for a Democrat to take the White House. The ChiComs know Dems are weak if not downright sympathetic to the expansion of communism.
The average Chinese citizen is learning the value of capitalism and the freedom it brings. The day will come in China where this realization crosses purpose with the Communist State. Freedom and Communism don't coexist.
Western governments, learning little from history, actually have people seeking office who think that there is good in state managed socialism. Ignorance within our own populations is China's one advantage.
Posted by: Whitewall | Wednesday, 15 May 2019 at 11:49
Up early, Roert? Comment is spot on.
Posted by: Michael F Adams | Wednesday, 15 May 2019 at 12:23
The line of thinking: China cheats at trade. Something must be done. A trade war is something. Therefore it must be done.
Posted by: Bob | Wednesday, 15 May 2019 at 16:22
NEVER get caught doing this!
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-05-09/us-treasury-expands-currency-probe-may-name-vietnam-dong-manipulator
Posted by: Whitewall | Wednesday, 15 May 2019 at 18:01
So what would you do, Bob?
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 15 May 2019 at 21:09
Bob, China did not cheat and it was others who did bad deals with China to the advantage of China. Trump knows a bad deal and is rectifying it. That is his job.
Posted by: Jimmy Glesga | Wednesday, 15 May 2019 at 22:38
David,
That's above my pay grade, but economists don't think a trade war is the way to fix anything. All those I read think it will be bad for the US economy.
Jimmy Glesga,
Trump says China is cheating. So far he's yet to make a fantastic deal.
Posted by: Bob | Thursday, 16 May 2019 at 00:27
Michael,
Some mornings David posts his first offering at about the same time that I begin my morning caffeine infusion. Immaculate timing I call it!
Posted by: Whitewall | Thursday, 16 May 2019 at 12:02
Trump's administration is now calling you Brits either liars or misinformed for getting in the way of Bolton's plans for Iran:
"Maj Gen Chris Ghika, the deputy commander of Operation Inherent Resolve, the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, told reporters in a conference call on Monday: "No, there's been no increased threat from Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria."
Hours later US Central Command, which is responsible for US military operations in the Middle East, took the unusual step of publicly contradicting him.
'Recent comments from OIR's Deputy Commander run counter to identified credible threats available to intelligence from US and allies regarding Iranian-backed forces in the region,' said Captain Bill Urban, a spokesman, in a statement."
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/15/us-openly-rejects-british-general-iran-orders-embassy-staff/
Whatever Mrs. May's faults, she's probably not as stupid as Tony Blair.
Posted by: Bob | Thursday, 16 May 2019 at 14:39
Whiters, alas and alack, I try to scribble, or tap, something out in the mornings ready for you in *your* mid-morning but just recently I have been plagued with those damned "events, dear boy, events". Also, to be honest, the news here, there and everywhere is so incredibly tedious that I am often at a loss for words.
Posted by: David Duff | Thursday, 16 May 2019 at 16:35
Oh yes she is, Bob!
Posted by: David Duff | Thursday, 16 May 2019 at 16:37
David I know what you mean!
Posted by: Whitewall | Thursday, 16 May 2019 at 19:17