Trump cannot win with just a plan without any backup strategy; just plucking half-baked ideas from thin air like printing free money. The way that Trump is doing, taking two steps forward and two steps back again shows how flimsy his plans were. They were all just hot air with no specific direction and confidence in moving forward, backtracking on the spur of the moment.
Why the USA failed is because it had no backup plan for its agricultural products and farmers were left at a loss as to how to sell the products that China needed but which China are finding substitutes from elsewhere as a result of the first trade war. China backed up its needs by diversifying its sources, already in anticipation of the USA holding it hostage in food security. China thinks far ahead, while the USA only thinks about how to cripple China today, without considering the consequences tomorrow. The tariffs now show how delusional Trump is thinking about de-coupling from China completely.
The second step China took was building the BRI to create a network of transportation links for trade with other countries without having to use the traditional sea routes in times of conflict. It was also a plan by China to recycle its trade surpluses by diversifying its surpluses into building the BRI with long term benefits. Otherwise, such trade surpluses would largely still be channeled to buying USA Treasuries and other assets and risk losing them like Russia.
The third step that China took in co-operation with Russia was the setting up of BRICS to move away from using solely the US$ for global trade. To do that it was also necessary to move away from using SWIFT for trade settlement, which BRICS is well on its way to roll out. It would not be easy for a start, but China plays the long game.
Other than the above, China also planned long ago to build up its control of raw materials, dominating in logistics, refining its education system to prioritize engineering and science training, subsidizing companies investing in growth sector technology like EVs, semiconductors and automation of factories. The benefits are now apparent and enabled China to stand on its feet independently.
Anonymous
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Trump is now forcing other countries to sacrifice themselves for the USA. Not only countries, but world bodies like the IMF, World Bank, WHO, UN and ICJ are being forced to do the USA's bidding to cripple China. I think countries are beginning to wake up to the realization that they are merely proxies being used to further the interest of the USA. They could see that happening with Ukraine now. Trump's peace plan is all preoccupied with gaining access to Ukraine's mineral resources, nothing more.
Ukraine had been used by the USA, with 'iron clad' promises and abandoned when the going gets tough. Ukraine is being abandoned in favor of Israel in the Middle East. As John Mearsheimer said earlier, Ukraine is not a country of strategic importance to the USA, unlike Germany or Israel. That should be a lesson for Taiwan and the Philippines not to take too seriously the 'iron clad' promises of the USA.
Japan, surprisingly, is now seemingly not following the USA line of going against China. However, that may change when pressure is applied by the USA and we have seen that happening elsewhere, like the Saudis. Japan had been used for decades by the USA against China and is needlessly suffering economic consequences. Even before Trump's second term, Japan had been selling its treasuries to prop up the falling Yen, a move that elicit a stern warning from Janet Yellen, the previous Treasury Secretary of the USA. You can be sure that Scott Bessent is also not relenting in his application of pressure points against Japan.
Trump now claims that Xi called him regarding the tariff war. Beijing categorically denied everything that is trotted out by the USA, claiming no such event is happening and are just fake news. Now, who do we believe?
Trump already caved to China earlier as most people are saying, by talking about bringing down the tariffs against China in the face of demands by Beijing that any talk can only proceed with Trump's tariffs out of the way. That stand is as clear as daylight, with claims that Xi called Trump just an illusion. Words must be matched by action, not just releasing hot air. China is waiting for Trump to get the tariffs out of the way first before talks can proceed.
Is this a move meant for the stock market to shoot up again for his cronies to make more money? I would not discount the motive.
The lying of Trump is getting absolutely ridiculous and out of hand. Just heard that out of 195 countries in the world, 200 have called to make deals. No proof, no names, no report of deals.
And not to mention that China is among the 195 countries that did not call. Maybe the penguins also called already. And Trump claims Xi called. Maybe it was a McDonald Chinese delivery boy which he mistook for Xi, LOL.
Several countries were exempted, for example Russia and the Vatican. So, where did he get the 200 countries calling? When pressed, he said Xi spoke to him several times. Of course, they have spoken on many occasions before the tariffs. Trump is trying to pull a fast one here.
So much winning that Trump has lost the ability to count.
The more he lied about the numbers, it means very few countries called him. Many are just wait and see as they know the tariffs may change anytime.
Actually, I only heard about Japan and South Korea, the two colonies, negotiating. If all the touted 200 countries are negotiating, 90 days reprieve is too short to complete the negotiations. It may take 100 years to do it, LOL
Some of afraid of kissing Trump's arse and getting humiliated further, so they might not take up the deal.
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