Trump tariffed 70 countries and they reached out to say what the **** man.
What does "make a deal" mean to you? Do you automatically assume every deal is a win for Trump?
Consider this. In the Bush 2000's, you guys shipped all our jobs to Mexico and China. NOT to Europe. So you went to China because they gave you the best prices. You LOVED China and Walmart. Remember?
Well why wouldn't Europe want to buy from them too? Especially when they hate Trump.
Will Europe look to China to replace the US?
The question of who will lead in Europe was asked openly at last weekend’s Munich Security Conference in light of the rising tensions between the US and its transatlantic allies. Some called on Germany to lead, while others regretted that the UK had left the EU. But the bigger question on everybody’s mind was: Will China replace the US as Europe’s main partner and world leader?
The USA isn't the cheapest place to buy from. If China can make it better and cheaper, why won't Europe do the same thing we did? Buy from CHINA!
As the US speaks of America First and withdraws from international institutions, China is presenting itself as the guardian of the international order — but not the unipolar world of yesterday, rather the new multipolar world that Beijing says must be fair and devoid of rivalry.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the Munich Security Conference that “a multipolar world is not only a historical inevitability, it is also becoming a reality.”
(AFP)
Short Url
The question of who will lead in Europe was asked openly at last weekend’s Munich Security Conference in light of the rising tensions between the US and its transatlantic allies. Some called on Germany to lead, while others regretted that the UK had left the EU. But the bigger question on everybody’s mind was: Will China replace the US as Europe’s main partner and world leader?
As transatlantic relations enter a new stage, with Europe questioning whether the historic partnership is still on the same page and whether Europe and the US still share the same values, especially those related to the global order, China looks to be positioning itself as not only the beneficiary but also the better and more stable partner, or “the anti-Trump.”
As the US speaks of America First and withdraws from international institutions, China is presenting itself as the guardian of the international order — but not the unipolar world of yesterday, rather the new multipolar world that Beijing says must be fair and devoid of rivalry.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the Munich Security Conference that “a multipolar world is not only a historical inevitability, it is also becoming a reality.”
The new American administration prides itself on the “disruption” it is causing to the international system, to fix what it says is a system that has gone astray. China, on the other hand, is presenting itself as a power that is working for an “equal and orderly multipolar world” and “a factor of certainty in this multipolar system,” as Wang said.
China is presenting itself as the rational actor in a chaotic world, while “some countries believe that might makes right and have opened the Pandora’s box marked the law of the jungle.”
But this is not mere political talk, the Chinese claim. Wang pointed out that Beijing “contributed nearly 30 percent of the world’s economic growth” and “served as an important engine for global economic growth.”
While US Vice President J.D. Vance lectured and chided the Europeans on their supposed abandoning of democratic values, he also intervened in their domestic affairs, especially those of Germany. He met the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany party but not Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The Chinese were very direct in offering themselves as an alternative, with their officials expressing China’s willingness to “deepen strategic communication and mutually beneficial cooperation” with Europe.
Wang was very specific, saying China is “willing to synergize high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with the European Union’s Global Gateway Strategy so as to empower each other and empower the entire world.” He added that China and Europe are partners, not rivals.
And to contrast China’s approach to that of the US regarding its participation in the negotiations over Ukraine, the Chinese foreign minister said Beijing backs Europe to play a significant role in the peace process.
But can China really replace the US for Europe, which has enjoyed more than three-quarters of a century of close political, security, economic and strategic ties with Washington?
As the US is going its own way on ending the war in Ukraine and as the threat of a trade war becomes serious, Europe is struggling to find a way to preserve its historic and indispensable relationship with the US, while at the same time asserting itself as an equal partner to Washington that cannot be bullied.
you don't say??!!??!!!!
