We have basically handed over our World Status, which includes international aid, commerce, and defense to China. They will be the winner hands down in all of these. I don't see anyway to change this at this point. It is inevitable. Trump and his clueless administration who operate like cartoonish thugs, have made it clear that not only do we lack expertise in all of these dealings, we cannot be trusted to uphold any agreement made in the past, and that applies to any treaty or agreement made in the present. I guess that is what you get, when you elect a criminal to the Presidential Office.
Would you prefer, "Bessent is the final semblance of an adult at the table"? A bit like the mirage image that remains on our retina's when we have looked at a bright object too long? Either way, China is clearly now in the driver's seat on International Trade. I'm not a big fan of their system of governance, I believe the Chinese people deserve better than they are getting, but for long term strategic thinking and policy driven action, the Chinese have completely leapfrogged the US with Don the Con's ascent, and the subsequent descent of our beloved USA towards the "armpit" nations' status Don the Con is so fond of decrying.
Bessent, to me, looks like a richy rich, sounds like one too. A strained voice that used to deliver words of hope and promise. More likely than not, a caring politician would arouse you
This article says it all, so I'm just going to quote the salient points: "Donald Trump’s pressure arrives loudly, retreats impulsively, and leaves no lasting architecture in its wake. This is not what adversaries fear. It’s what they plan around." "China sees a U.S. president surrounded by loyalists pursuing cryptocurrency speculation, opaque aircraft deals, and Gulf state side arrangements that serve his personal finances more than national interests." "Beijing is building an alternative order—not to eclipse the West outright but to offer enough parallel capacity that U.S. influence becomes optional."
50 years ago I heard Stewart Brand say if you want to understand Chinese foreign policy, learn to play Go. Having learned to play Go at least well enough to understand what Brand was alluding to, I think this was a proudly insightful comment. China throws stones all around the board, we pick single battles. While China fights is to a limited extent in those local battles, they continue to put there resources all around the world in much less contentious places and see what develops. They may lose a local battle, but their influence globally continues to grow. Trump is just doing what we've always done, he's more obvious, less subtle, etc. but it's not really a different play book, just a more innocent and, frankly, stupid player.
Thanks for this excellent article. You do an admirable job of pointing out how the effort and movement to become, first, a viable trade partner and then a reliable major trade partner have recently favored China. We saw this firsthand in Latin America during the past quarter century.
It always surprised me that the USA did not pursue a high-level sustainable economic, trade, and mutual defense plan in the Americas.
Excellent analysis. The damage Trump and crew are doing to our reputation in the world as a dependable partner won’t be changed with an administration change next election. This is going to be permanent. China has become a strong partner to many Latin American and Asian nations, the EU is staring to lean in that direction. They see Trump for what he is.
We have basically handed over our World Status, which includes international aid, commerce, and defense to China. They will be the winner hands down in all of these. I don't see anyway to change this at this point. It is inevitable. Trump and his clueless administration who operate like cartoonish thugs, have made it clear that not only do we lack expertise in all of these dealings, we cannot be trusted to uphold any agreement made in the past, and that applies to any treaty or agreement made in the present. I guess that is what you get, when you elect a criminal to the Presidential Office.
Bessent is the final adult at the table? From what I can see he has done nothing but parrot Trump's idiocy.
Would you prefer, "Bessent is the final semblance of an adult at the table"? A bit like the mirage image that remains on our retina's when we have looked at a bright object too long? Either way, China is clearly now in the driver's seat on International Trade. I'm not a big fan of their system of governance, I believe the Chinese people deserve better than they are getting, but for long term strategic thinking and policy driven action, the Chinese have completely leapfrogged the US with Don the Con's ascent, and the subsequent descent of our beloved USA towards the "armpit" nations' status Don the Con is so fond of decrying.
The state of affairs is such that Bessent is the adult in the Administration who comes in to try and clean up the mess his boss always leaves behind.
Bessent, to me, looks like a richy rich, sounds like one too. A strained voice that used to deliver words of hope and promise. More likely than not, a caring politician would arouse you
THis is what you get when you put a a corrupt, impulsive and profoundly ignorant person in charge.
"It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."
— Shakespeare
This article says it all, so I'm just going to quote the salient points: "Donald Trump’s pressure arrives loudly, retreats impulsively, and leaves no lasting architecture in its wake. This is not what adversaries fear. It’s what they plan around." "China sees a U.S. president surrounded by loyalists pursuing cryptocurrency speculation, opaque aircraft deals, and Gulf state side arrangements that serve his personal finances more than national interests." "Beijing is building an alternative order—not to eclipse the West outright but to offer enough parallel capacity that U.S. influence becomes optional."
Also, this is one of the most insightful articles I've read on this mess. Thank you so much.
50 years ago I heard Stewart Brand say if you want to understand Chinese foreign policy, learn to play Go. Having learned to play Go at least well enough to understand what Brand was alluding to, I think this was a proudly insightful comment. China throws stones all around the board, we pick single battles. While China fights is to a limited extent in those local battles, they continue to put there resources all around the world in much less contentious places and see what develops. They may lose a local battle, but their influence globally continues to grow. Trump is just doing what we've always done, he's more obvious, less subtle, etc. but it's not really a different play book, just a more innocent and, frankly, stupid player.
Thought-provoking and well-written.
A fine article thank you
Thank you, Dr. O’Neill, for such an intelligent explanation of what’s going on. I always appreciate your columns.
Interesting statistic that today more than 145 countries do more trade with China than the US. In 2001, that number was 30.
Do we need to know more - for example what kinds of countries are making this move toward China?
Also, this statistic suggests a trend that preceded T. Has that trend been steady or has there been a Trump bump in that trade movement?
I'd sure like to blame T but is there a story here that is bigger than T?
Thanks for this excellent article. You do an admirable job of pointing out how the effort and movement to become, first, a viable trade partner and then a reliable major trade partner have recently favored China. We saw this firsthand in Latin America during the past quarter century.
It always surprised me that the USA did not pursue a high-level sustainable economic, trade, and mutual defense plan in the Americas.
Thank you for your controlled evaluation. I fly off the handle.
Excellent analysis. The damage Trump and crew are doing to our reputation in the world as a dependable partner won’t be changed with an administration change next election. This is going to be permanent. China has become a strong partner to many Latin American and Asian nations, the EU is staring to lean in that direction. They see Trump for what he is.