China just called the United States an economic terrorist with some justice — the battle for soft power has begun

© 2019 Peter Free

 

03 June 2019

 

 

"America first" appears to be the equivalent of "US only"

 

Our penchant for unyielding domination is going to pose a major geopolitical problem (for us) down the road.

 

China — informally speaking through The Global Times — just threw down the gauntlet in the battle for soft power over this issue:

 

 

Global financial markets are facing a stark wake-up call that they need to unite to stand against acts of what can only be described as economic terrorism by a country which unilaterally imposes its will on others and pursues its own goals at the cost of the interests of others.

 

The conventional views of globalization and its benefits are still shared by most countries, and many countries and regions are continuing to open their economies.

 

They should unite to face the chaos created by the Trump administration and find a way forward, so the process of globalization will not be held hostage by the US' economic terrorism.

 

© 2019 Zhang Yi, World should unite against US global economic terrorism, Global Times (03 June 2019)

 

 

Put the PRC's indignation into context

 

The economically second most powerful nation on the planet has just pointed out that the United States is increasingly difficult to work with. That is the opposite of the previously perceived American historical record.

 

Realistically speaking, the Chinese are probably right. The Trump Administration has become a rampaging bull in a fragile glass shop.

 

There is a difference between:

 

 

protecting one's own most important interests

 

and

 

not recognizing that others have equivalent existential concerns.

 

 

Economically obliterating other people out of their right to eat (metaphorically speaking) is a poor way to cultivate cooperation.

 

The peak of President Trump's non compos mentis on these issues is his call for up-to-25 percent tariffs on Mexican goods. These to be imposed, unless Mexico halts the flow of illegal immigration into the United States.

 

Our hormonal President seems to think that deflating the Mexican economy is a good way to keep its people at home. It's a startling perspective.

 

The President is also in the process of provoking populous India with threatened tariffs.

 

It seems that Toddling Donny's ultimate goal is to piss off virtually everyone in the world.

 

That would be an impressive achievement. Although it is not one that is likely to do the United States any good.

 

 

The moral? — Aesthetically speaking, I preferred Teddy Roosevelt's 'big stick and speak softly' . . .

 

. . . to President Trump's 'brag loudly and slam indiscriminately'.

 

If China wins the battle for likeability and soft power around the world, our gargantuan economy is not going to save us.