Events of the past year have left no doubt that the relationship between Washington and Beijing has fundamentally changed for the worse. Words from the Trump administration on Thursday confirmed that there is plenty of room for it to deteriorate even more before it gets better.
“A new consensus on China is rising across America,” US Vice-President Mike Pence told an audience in Washington, warning Beijing in fighting terms that “this president will not back down.”
The wide-ranging speech called out China for criticisms long-levied against Beijing, including back peddling on reforms and representing a malign influence in global politics. But Pence also denounced the Chinese government on a new front that related to US President Donald Trump himself: election meddling.
“China has initiated an unprecedented effort to influence American public opinion, the 2018 elections and the environment leading into the 2020 presidential elections.”
Beijing, he said, “is pursuing a comprehensive and coordinated campaign to undermine support for the president, our agenda, and our most cherished ideals.”
“President Trump’s leadership is working,” Pence said, “and China wants a different American president.”
The accusation that China’s leaders are proactively trying to undermine the current US administration in domestic politics has come to the fore only recently. Trump highlighted the charge during a press conference last week, during which he said that evidence would be presented in support of the claim.
So far, the allegation appears to be based primarily on the fact that retaliatory tariffs placed on US goods by China have overwhelmingly targeted counties that voted for Trump in the 2016 presidential election.
The notion that Beijing is specifically targeting Trump, which served as an exclamation point at the end of Pence’s laundry list of grievances, raises the question of whether the US president will abandon his insistence on maintaining the public image of a warm relationship with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. The US president acknowledged this possibility last week, saying “maybe he’s not anymore,” when asked whether they were still friends.
That could have implications for other areas of contention between the world’s two largest powers, analysts say, whether it be trade, the balance of military power in the Pacific, or the future of Taiwan. Trump has consistently stressed the importance that personal relationships of heads of state play in bilateral negotiations. From the first time he met with Xi until now, he had not previously wavered in his confidence that they are good friends.
“Until recently, when people used the phrase ‘a new cold war’ when talking about the United States and China, I always said ‘you’re exaggerating,’” Richard Haas, president of New York-based think tank Council on Foreign Relations said in a television interview following Pence’s speech.
“And for the first time […] I think that language now is not that far from reality,” Haas lamented.
The Trump administration initially focused just on trade, “but now it’s broadening, and it almost seems as if the administration wants to have something of a cold war with China.”
“The Chinese are beginning to think that we are not looking for a solution here, that we want to fundamentally damage them, and what’s adding to that are recent actions: the Pence speech today […] the fact that we sanctioned China over buying arms from Russia […] they’re beginning to think that we’re actually looking […] to basically broaden the fight.”
The shift in the relationship was on display at the Chinese embassy in Washington earlier this week at an event commemorating China’s National Day holiday. Senior Trump aide Matt Pottinger stressed to Chinese diplomats that the administration has updated its China policy “to bring the concept of competition to the forefront.”
“It’s right there at the top of the president’s national security strategy,” Pottinger reminded the audience.
Chinese ambassador Cui Tiankai responded to the sentiment in a radio interview following the event that he thinks the complicated relationship naturally involves an element of competition. But, he added: “Just because we have differences, the need for cooperation is even bigger.”
Those differences are multiplying and they have become more severe, Pence suggested in his speech, pledging that the Trump administration would maintain its naval presence in the South China Sea and call out China for alleged theft of intellectual property, repression of religious freedoms, as well as pressure tactics used to erode international support for Taiwan’s government.
“America will always believe that Taiwan’s embrace of democracy shows a better path for all the Chinese people,” Pence said to loud applause from the audience at the Hudson Institute think tank, the resident China scholar of which was highlighted last week by president Trump as being America’s foremost expert on the country.
Accounts have shown that Chinese leaders were caught off guard by the Trump administration’s unclear and at times inconsistent demands in trade negotiations. If there is a similar lack of clarity when it comes to issues such as the nature of Washington’s support for Taiwan, or operations in the South China Sea, some experts have warned, the term “cold war” – far from being exaggerated – may not go far enough.
And from the USMCA:
The agreement also potentially restricts Canada and Mexico from reaching a free trade agreement with China and other "non-market" countries. If Canada or Mexico signed a deal with China, the U.S. could terminate its trade agreement with Canada or Mexico on a six-month notice. That may pose a problem for Canada which is eager to diversify its trade.
"It’s bizarre," Charest, the former Quebec premier, said. "I have never seen anything like that in a trade agreement."
Daniel Ujczo, a trade attorney with the Dickinson Wright law firm, said Canada and Mexico also must give the U.S. notice before starting those trade discussions and updates of all proposals made during the negotiations.
"The clause achieves a key policy imperative for the US; namely, shutting China’s backdoor to North America through Canada and Mexico," Ujczo said. "Japan and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, should be on notice that this may be the price of admission to a trade deal with the U.S."
This basically cuts the legs off belt and road. Even if the infrastructure is built, the strategy prevents other countries from trading with China.
What ever Nixon signed with Mao/Zhou in 1979 is expiring. China knew that and thought they could avoid trade barriers by joining the WTO. Xi did prepare for the full spectrum assault. Uncle Sam had pushed Russia and China to the same corner without them trying. NK/SK will use this time of uncertainty to finally unite.Japan while still patient with their occupation and humiliation will turn as soon as they see any weakness in the American empire. India again will have sell herself to the wrong master and already knee deep in USD loans lured by yrs of cheap interests and will pay many times over now. Southeast will become China’s major importers of raw material despite any local government blockage. Africa will rise having finally found partner with mutual trust and share same goals of development. South America will have harder time due to incessant CIA creating chaos and regime change. The Germans has and will always benefit from trading with China. Middle East and Central Asia will be transformed by the new Silk Road as trade and profits brings fortune along. America will do their best to create chaos and hurdles but will be futile as it’s costing and wasting money vs making profits from trade. So America will find itself slowly disconnected, isolated by itself. Internally it is on its way to rotten from the inside out morally, economically, and politically like a garden hedges that looks healthy and green but only on the surface. As USA is weaken the predators from Europe will want their gold back from Fort Knox hold hostage since the 1970s. These will be interesting times in the next 50 yrs.
Red Herring about his own Russia investigationo as Mueller closes in. "Putin told me he didn’t do it"
Now with absolutely no evidence from any intelligence agency, Trump is claiming China, a country whose own propaganda is extremely obvious and low-level, is trying to influence the US elections.
This is projection at its best. Because Trump colluded with the Russians, the *Democrats* must be colluding with China.
Mike Pence does not take responsibility for the US Administration steadily raising the bar for a confrontation. Sanctioning the Chinese for buying Russian arms? Preventing Canada and Mexico from INITIATING any trade negotiations with China? This is the only logical outcome for a country thinking they cannot be bullied any more, economic stakes not withstanding. If Mike Pence has any brains, he would be aware of the logical outcome of this. If he is not, well….. nuff said
It seems there are no adults left in the American government; only juveniles, who whine, throw tantrum, make wild accusations, crow, preen and threaten. What a spectacle.
It is really laughable for Pence to go around accusing anyone of interfering in US internal affairs. Israel front groups are up to their ears in US politics. It is so "normal" that nobody seems to think it strange. US politicians are terrified of the Israel Lobby. Nateyahu and other Israeli politicians openly campaigned for Trump.
The US, of course, has its fingers in the politics of most countries in one way or another. Buying elections? Rigging same? Sure. If that fails, well, then send the Marines.
Does not EVERYONE with half a brain know all this?
Trump is trying to divert attention from problems with so called Russian meddling in the election which brought him to power. China knows that who ever is in power next in the US will continue with the containment plans against them now in place as these are what the US government wants, not simply Trump
Really, the USA was never going to cede global hegemony without a fight. Clinton would have fought too. Whoever won the Presidency had to fight, as China’s GDP in real terms is 20% larger, and their technology is pulling ahead. No choice. The US is going to war on all fronts, except nuclear, hoping to trigger regime collapse, or at least chaos.
Great news. Bring on the next 100 years of humiliation while they sort out who has the "mandate of heaven" next.
China is by far the most dangerous threat to peace and stability in the world. The communist dictators in Beijing have been put on notice. Their economy will be attacked. Their aggressive Road and Belt strategy to rule the entire world will be destroyed. Their war-like behaviour in the South China Sea will be confronted. The Pacific will be defended, and China kicked out of there.
President Trump will now send more US military assets to Asia. They will confront China there.
There are no great days for China to be spotted on the horizon.
Quite decent attempt at a joke.
Thanks.
Now the World see clearly what it means to be hegemonic internationally and tyrannical domestically…
Very bad news for Americans who claim to be freedom lover and hard time ahead for the World.
WuKong Sun you are welcome to have all your beliefs and even wanting for Chinese dominance and win. I can understand it.
China is a 14 trillion dollar economy with 1.4 billion population and USA is 21 trillion dollar economy with 400 million population. Both have internal debt and external debt in large quantities.
China trades about 20% with USA.
But what harm has India done to you or China so far. Our trade is negligible with your country and as they say India holds no beef in this fight. We are a 2.9 trillion economy far smaller then both.
I see this abusive pattern of commentary about India from all China supporting chat room writers here.
As far as India is concerned we just like other countries trade with China but have strategic partnership with USA and not to forget Russia.
We have boundary differences with China, but are working with China in BRICS and joined SCO recently as well. Didn’t join BRI as it is against our core interests.
We are keeping our strategic options open and if pushed by China can form hard alliance with USA but have not yet done that.
Why push one nation that has large population , 6th largest economy and large enough military to other side. Does it make sense?
We get it ,china has chosen to be America’s enemy. We could have been friends but no they have chosen the way of pain.
Srinivasa Nanduri ==India and the U.S. should become allies.
Srinivasa Nanduri These wumao don’t question their masters, they have to repeat verbatim what their masters tell them, typical Chinese communist party propaganda.
Stupidity, because it is genetic, is a very difficult thing to control or to hide…
Srinivasa Nanduri it does make sense. Those commentaries exist and comes from both sides. Nothing more than a tit for tat kneejerk reaction. Similar online news like SCMP have a barrage of them in the past albeit a lot calmer these days between Indians and Chinese. Possibly due to better understanding on China’s position by the Indian side when Modi visited China(effects on MSM). Theres also a certain wariness of what the US has done in the past and capable of doing currently to India. You cannot have missed US’ demand that India halt the purchase of S400 from Russia or how the US behave in the Bhopal incident. Personally, I think India should be able to purchase whatever h*ll they want, to protect themselves. I dont think China wants to have any quarrel with India but a lot of trolls(with agenda)are not happy with such narrative. I wish the Indians and Chinese can come to an agreement pronto, to where their sphere of influence should be and respect it.
Jack Chan Chinese economic inputs in India are yet to take root. The variness comes from distrust. Only thru dialogue can these be addressed.
Whenever Chinese firms created manufacturing jobs, investments and reasonable R&D for Indian market, they have been successful.
The low and medium tech industries are moving out of China as per natural phaseout process. China and India together can work to move these to Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Srilanka, catering to single south Asian market. A transparent approach can mean greater chance of success. A seperate India China joint project outside of BRI can be worked out.
Chinese foray into South Asia is another point of suspicion. This needs clarification. String of pearls if true will mean Indian push back. Not good for both nations.
Early harvest of border dispute can be another positive factor. It is said that by 2005 90% was agreed. The issue is stuck on Tawang. India cannot give it up because legally since 1950 lawmakers are representing that region. China settled it’s border dispute with mynanmar based on Mac Mohan line. A few kilometres here and there based on give and take can settle things if both sides are serious.
Hopefully cooler heads prevail and bring peace and prosperity to east and south asia.
Quite a stretch there or delusional. The US policy of backing Israel and the non stop interference in the middle east is threatening the world already in case you didnt notice. Everyone else has to mop up the revenge sh*t in the form of terrorism. maybe you have heard about this in your country?
Srinivasa Nanduri . . . well India isn’t in this fight, but eventually it will be India’s turn, as it’s economy grows; if the US is still the hegomonic power it will never tolerate India’s ascendancy. And because of India’s and China’s size, even at 25% of the USA per capita income, the national economy would exceed the USA’s. So it’s really a status quo that enforces poverty for most men, and wealth for a few.
Of course the US is playing India against China. Why wouldn’t they? It’s the old British, or even Roman, strategy of divide and conquer. The US will tolerate neither the ascendancy of India or China, unless it’s power is broken.
It’s the other way around.
Actually China cannot complain. China was lucky. GWB wanted war but 911 intervened. China had another 16 years of growth and its economy quadrupled in size. At the time of 911 its economy was less than 1/3 the size of the US economy. Now it’s 20% larger. It is roughly a fight of equals. But China has a far greater capacity to absorb losses in a battle of attrition. It will be a reprise of the American Civil War, with China as the Union and the USA as the Confederacy. China as the power with population and industrial momentum, and the US as the stagnating power struggling to survive.
As it is, we can see very clearly what the US is doing now. Its not unlike the shenanigans in gulf of Tonkin, bay of pigs and Iraq ‘s WMD big gun lies just to continue with their hegemon or just plain simple revenge and ego. We can also see Israel act with impunity in Syria and Palestine (Russian plane incident excepted of course) under the hegemons protection and the bellicose reaction towards UN/ICJ rulings. Such are the advantages of a country with 11 carrier groups. Big guns does talk. Bring peace to the region? yeh right, they brought a lot of peace to middle east when they started there didnt they. I personally do not agree with China’s SCS claim triggered by the Japanese govn claiming the small rock island but I believe that ASEAN countries should be the one to take the lead in having a proper conversation with China without a war mongering nation barging into this side of the world with their military assets and set a threatening tone. They wouldnt do it on their side of the world why are they doing it on this side. Re Monroe Doctrine. The Trump administration I suspect has been planning for such end game since the beginning. MAGA seemed innocent enough until someone like Trump tries to take it to fruition irrespective of the consequences or any unintended consequences. What we are seeing now are the side shows , red herrings, grown ups throwing tantrums, heckling, attempts at trade isolation, lies upon lies being plastered all over western MSM to shape the narrative and demonise China. You know what fhey say about lies, said if often enough and they start to sound like gospel truth. All leading to one thing – capitulation of a sovereign nation through whatever means. They know China is not Iraq or Cuba but the price of hegemony is at stake here. I believe China and Russia has stopped buying and is reducing the US Tbills, petro yuan has been introduced, India bought their S400 with rupees. EU has set up an SPV to deal with Iran to sidestep SWIFT system. Looked to me US is lashing back violently. I shudder at the thought of the inevitable. Maybe China should just let the US be the class monitor and save the trouble for all.
America does not have friends, only vassals.
American actions will make no sense until we manage to dump this clown. When we do, we’ll have to undertake years of rebuilding efforts to counteract his stupid actions. This is horrible.
The question is "Is the US powerful enough to hold such a hegemony?"
Richard Truong probably not. But anything can happen in war. I think China can win a war of attrition
The most stupid remark on this board. China will be the biggest economie in about 15 years!!!.
From a European!!!!
Trade between USA and China in August 2018 compared to August 2017 as released by United States Census Bureau:
In August 2018, USA imported 47.9 billion dollars of goods from China and exported 9.3 billion dollars of goods to China.
In August 2017, USA imported 45.8 billion of goods from China and exported 10.8 billion of goods to China.
This means that imports of Chinese products to USA increase by 2.1 billions dollars in August 2018 compared to August 2017, an increase of 4.6%.
On the other hand, exports of US goods to China decreased by 1.5 billion dollars in August 2018 compared to August 2017, a decrease of 13.9%.
It is clear that the trade war between USA and China, which USA started, is not going in favour of USA.
No wonder USA is getting angry.
If the US can’t be friends with Canada, who can they be friends with ? They held a gun to our heads for the USMCA. Jo Kang is right.
Francis Chow
I am of the same opinion, for the simple reason that the US economy is mostly a bubble: heavily indebted and hollow industrial base. A lasting economic war is the worst enemy of bubble.
The trade war itself may do that. Public and private debt levels are so high that the rise in prices due to tarrifs may stall consumer spending and throw the country into another recession or worse.
In terms of foreign influence on US policy, a couple of facts should be acknowledged:
1. It’s known that many countries or entities all over the World have been paying the US lobbyists, including Taiwan, to influence the US foreign policy
2. If foreign countries can do that, it means the US should fix the system from ground up instead of selectively blaming some country.. Otherwise the US would be just working for some existing foreign forces which are controlling the US policies.
Bring in on, retards!
How ironic that the decendants of priates and bandits are accusing China of all these fabricated lies! YOU ARE THE ONE DESTROYING THIS WORLD! and you have the audacity to attack China! China is picked on only because she is getting more wealthy and starting to threatening your priviliaged position pillating others. IF JAPAN, INDIA OR ANY OTHER NATION WERE AS POWERFUL AS CHINA IS TODAY, THEY WILL BE PICKED ON JUST AS WELL! But do not misread China, this is one civilisation with great resolve and will continue to survive to the end! Long after yours is gone!
The bully calling the victim for starting the fight, absurdly stupid!
So China bought an ad to layout the effects to agriculture products due to US tariff wars compares to Russian hacking influening election results, and this moron saying China’s action is more serious? What’s his motive?
Jeff Voeks
THEY ARE !
Jeff Voeks
THEY ARE !