Has Trump Ever Heard of the Opium Wars? Apparently Not

Not having their laws dictated to by a foreign power is a matter of principle for the Chinese, Trump's insistence that they do couldn't be more offensive

Trump tried strong-arming the Chinese but in 2019 that won’t fly. They are determined that they’ve left the “century of humiliation” in the rear-view mirror, and won’t allow themselves to be dictated to if only as a matter of principle

Heightened trade tensions between the U.S. and China over the last few days, that seemed to catch many media outlets and pundits off-guard, were actually always lurking just beneath the surface. U.S. negotiators had indeed made headway with China in talks over the last several weeks, provoking even optimism from President Trump just days before he increased tariffs on some $200 bn worth of Chinese goods from 10 percent to an economically damaging 25 percent.

However, U.S. negotiators pushed too hard. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Sunday that China needs to agree to “very strong” enforcement provisions for an eventual deal and the sticking point in negotiations was Beijing’s reluctance to put into law changes that had been agreed upon. He added that U.S. tariffs would remain in place while negotiations remain.

Major changes to Chinese law, enforced and monitored by another country is something China will never accept nor could it if it wanted to not only save face at home but abroad.

To do so would be an unacceptable concession for the country that is still sensitive to what it considers years of subjugation from foreign powers until at least the mid part of the last century – a topic that is not only still taught to every Chinese student but which has become part of the Chinese national psyche.

Beijing fires back

On Monday, China fired back. A commentary in the Communist Party’s People’s Daily said “at no time will China forfeit the country’s respect, and no one should expect China to swallow bitter fruit that harms its core interests.” The hawkish Beijing-based Global Times, which often expresses the view of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), said that China had no reason to fear a trade war with the U.S.

A commentary in Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua, citing Chinese academics at a think tank over the weekend, said that facing U.S. tariff hike threats, China has adhered to its bottom line, defended national dignity and people’s interests. Imposing new tariffs goes against the will of the people and the trend of the times. China has the resolution, courage, and confidence to rise to all sorts of challenges, they said.

Source: OilPrice.com

4 Comments
  1. chris chuba says

    I heard a ‘China’ expert dismiss their concerns over lack of reciprocity because we cannot allow the Chinese the same enforcement mechanism because Congress has laws on the books forbidding that. Our sovereignty is sacred but not yours LOL.

    1. Marko Marjanović says

      Hahaha. Comical indeed.

  2. John C Carleton says

    i would really enjoy the Trickster Trumpster being sat down, questioned on his knowledge of American History and the Constitution.

    i feel sure he would qualify for at least third grade in his knowledge of both.

    1. BillA says

      intelligence and education are not presidential prerequisites
      any effing idiot, with the support of other idiots (or Deep State), can be president

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