Trump’s threats to raise 104% tariffs against China look much more like desperation than any sort of serious attempt to trade. They also suggest a total lack of ideas and a complete misunderstanding of the situation’s realities.
All you’ve got are tariffs? Game over.
The overall picture is that Trump is threatening, and China isn’t budging. Strategically, it’s more like slapstick comedy than policy, just bring your own banana skins.
There’s another unavoidable issue here. Unlike America’s cushion-like Western allies, China is a very hard target. America has very little real leverage with China on any level.
Consider this:
The world is already up in arms against the tariffs, and America has effectively isolated itself.
Trump’s rhetoric is a constant major liability when talking to other countries.
Many countries have taken great offense at US foreign policy on all levels, particularly threats of annexation and statehood.
America’s longtime friends and allies are simply finding new options for trade without the US. Japan and South Korea have already done a deal with China. Canada could do a deal for oil with China that might undercut Russian oil.
As public relations, the tariffs and ignorant comments have been a total failure, and America’s image couldn’t be worse.
Nobody’s mentioning the possible effect of no Chinese imports to America. That’s odd because it’s such an obvious own goal for America. Domestically, it’d be a Daisy Cutter bomb in the market when people are struggling to survive paycheck to paycheck.
Nobody believes America can deliver at all on so many major policy initiatives.
That last sentence is new. Non-delivery isn’t exactly an American tradition. Inability to deliver is a first. The administration seems to have a shopping list of things it can’t do and has made them policies.
Compare China’s position:
China already does business with the whole world. That’s not going to change.
China is taking full advantage of the clumsy “bullying” with tariffs. This Xinhua link spells out exactly what’s happening, quite politely.
China doesn’t even need to use diplomacy to make its points. All China needs to do is good business, and it’s game over for tariffs.
The tariffs and general tantrum-based policies have simply united the world in their hatred of an unbelievably stupid, ignorant, dictatorial, and arguably insane infantile America. China doesn’t need to say a word or do a thing to win.
The descent of America from the fabulous boom times to a broke gangland to Trump can only go so far. There’s not much further to fall.
This absurd, idiotic confrontation with China could be fatal to a seriously weakened America.
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Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members.
