Opinion: Donald Trump, the illusory giant
He spewed fire from afar, but once in Beijing, he was meek. Donald Trump's first trip to Asia highlighted one thing: the US president has very little desire to compete with China, says DW's Thomas Latschan.Criticism from afar
Seen from the perspective of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Donald Trump has a lot in common with Mr. Tur Tur. The US president's recent trip to Asia made that clear to the world. At a safe distance, be it at the APEC summit in Vietnam or the ASEAN summit in the Philippines, Trump ruthlessly attacked Chinese trade policy, railing against its "currency manipulation" and "massive intellectual property theft." He even threatened the Chinese with economic sanctions and tariffs.
The contrast to his behavior during his state visit to Beijing could not have been greater. Once there, Donald Trump was suddenly timid, praising the Chinese president effusively and displaying his awe for Xi's power. Trump went so far as to temporarily change the background image on his Twitter account, proudly showing himself at Xi Jinping's side while visiting the Forbidden City and lauding the welcome ceremony that his Chinese host afforded him. Trump, the illusory giant, made himself small.
So small in fact, that it seemed as if he were meekly peering beyond his own nose when US jobs seemed threatened. Under Trump, the US appears to lack any clear strategy for Asia, his plans for the "Indo-Pacific" remain fuzzy at best. Barack Obama's "pivot to Asia," in comparison, was aimed at embracing China's neighbors politically and economically, thus curbing Beijing's influence in the region. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was an integral part of that strategy. Obama saw the trade agreement primarily as a foreign policy instrument. Donald Trump, on the other hand, saw it as a threat to US jobs and pulled out of the treaty.
True allies irritated
Japan, one of America's staunchest Asian allies, was attacked by the US president during the trip for supposedly pursuing unfair trade practices. Leaders in Taipei, for their part, were officially nervous ahead of Trump's Beijing visit: Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen implored President Trump not to even mention Taiwan during the visit for fear that its status could become a bargaining chip in Beijing and Washington's efforts to come to a US-Chinese agreement in the North Korea conflict.
Longtime allies in the region reacted to the US president's performance with growing consternation. China presented itself as a reliable partner, deftly attempting to fill the power vacuum being left by the USA. Geopolitically, it is expanding its network of naval bases in the South China Sea, while economically, it has been investing massively along the new "Silk Road." Developmentally, China is expanding the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which provides enormous credit to developing and emerging economies, while culturally, it's overseeing rapid creation of ever more Confucius Institutes around the world.
more at this link: http://www.dw.com/en/opinion-donald-trump-the-illusory-giant/a-41382023
This is the thing about dumpster fires, yeah it's just some trash burning. However, if you don't get it under control it quickly spreads and the consequences can be devastating.
MyOwnPeace
(16,919 posts)the "smartest smartie" - boy, he sure does know how to show how smart he is, doesn't he?
With outstanding leadership like that, how can we ever not be failing to "MAGA?"
Bernardo de La Paz
(48,961 posts)Delusions are strong with them:
http://dcwhispers.com/first-time-long-time-american-president-stared-china-china-blinked/
It was glorious. The Establishment Media will never report that fact. It will never participate in the truth of how strong and proud is Mr. Trumps representation of this nation as he stands literally and figuratively towering over other world leaders.
No more. Donald Trump loves his country and he also happens to be its president. The world is taking notice and if the response to Mr. Trump at the APEC summit is any measure, they are very glad to have a strong and confident America back and open for business.
iscooterliberally
(2,860 posts)disalitervisum
(470 posts)has 16 or 17 businesses operating in China. EVERYTHING THIS PRICK DOES IS A CON. Doesn't everyone get this yet? There is nothing this bloodsucker cares about but himself. Nothing.
Not my intention to yell at you, iscooterliberally, it's just my frustration showing.
iscooterliberally
(2,860 posts)I wanted to get some perspective from outside the US, and it was exactly what I expected. I really miss the days when Trump simply didn't appeal to me and he was easy enough to avoid simply by not watching The Apprentice. I remember the commercials for that show were enough for me to say, "I can't wait to miss that." Everything about Trump is awful. As soon as he started giving speeches at his rallies, I thought he would be done for. I really can't believe anyone in their right mind would ever vote for him. I hope that Mueller takes him down. I am so tired of this.
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)I can't believe that anyone who voted for Trump is in their right mind.
(Apart from the filthy-rich, who expect to be given unfettered control to rule the human race via staggering inequality)
We have met the enemy and he is 33% of us.