Trump works for Beijing and Moscow [Collection of evidences]

[revealer2k]

Trump continuously creates enemies for the US according to Putin's will

[DW] Israel? Palestine? Trump's Mideast peace plan explained


[Financial Times] Donald Trump pleases Israel with long-awaited Middle East peace plan
Subscribe to read | Financial Times

Palestinians react angrily to Trump's Middle East peace plan


[DW] Trump expected to OK Israel's annexation of the Jordan Valley


Jordan: Thousands protests against Trump"s "deal of the century" in Amman


Arab League rejects Trump's Middle East plan


Draft U.N. Resolution Condemns Israeli Annexation in Trump Peace Plan
Draft U.N. Resolution Condemns Israeli Annexation in Trump Peace Plan

Trump deal breaches international law
Jimmy Carter: Trump deal breaches international law

[Reuters] Palestinians cut ties with Israel, U.S. after rejecting peace plan
Palestinians cut ties with Israel, U.S. after rejecting peace plan

 

[revealer2k]

By proposing NATOME, Trump wants the US & Europe to fight for Israel's territorial expansion.

Trump proposes 'NATOME': NATO expanded to MidEast


Apparently Trump wants to include Israel into NATOME, but the people of the US & Europe do not want to fight wars for Israel's territorial expansion, they would seek to leave or disable NATO --- that is exactly what Beijing & Moscow want.

Trump's NATOME is actually an indirect way to destruct NATO, which fulfills Beijing & Moscow‘s strategic wishes.

[United Nations] Israeli Settlement Expansion Flagrant Violation of International Law


Tensions As Israel Targets Syria in Airstrikes


“Yet Another Declaration of War on Palestinians”: Rashid Khalidi on Trump’s Middle East “Peace” Plan

 

[revealer2k]

Trump is destroying the US's defensive line at the first island chain, in order to make Moscow & Beijing & North Korea able to attack the US directly.

By pretending to negotiate with North Korea, Trump actually buys time for Kim Jong-un, allowing Kim to further develop his nuclear warheads and missiles.

'Money' and 'Unfair to the US' are two types of excuses often used by Trump to damage the US's ties with key allies and destroy the international order established by the US.

US to put 9,000 South Korean military workers on leave as funding row deepens
US to put 9,000 South Korean military workers on leave as funding row deepens

The US military has started sending letters to nearly 9,000 South Koreans telling them that they may be out of work from April unless a cost-sharing deal is struck between the two countries.

Washington and Seoul are in a deadlock over sharing costs for the upkeep of 28,500 US soldiers stationed in South Korea, having failed to reach an agreement during six rounds of talks.

The US Forces in Korea (USFK) started sending “furlough” letters to South Korean employees on Tuesday warning that they may be placed on unpaid leave from April, in an apparent bid to ramp up the pressure on Seoul.

USFK threatens Korean employees with unpaid leave

A U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) letter states the USFK will send 8,700 Korean employees on unpaid leave from April 15, 2019, if Seoul and Washington do not settle a deal on their defense cost-sharing by the end of this year.

US and South Korea fail to reach cost sharing agreement for US troops
US and South Korea fail to reach cost sharing agreement for US troops - CNNPolitics

The failure to reach agreement comes amid reports that President Donald Trump has been demanding that South Korea pay roughly 400% more than Seoul is currently paying to house US troops.

South Korea is one of the most loyal U.S. allies. Now we’re being bullied by Trump
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opin...al-us-allies-now-were-being-bullied-by-trump/

President Trump’s demand that South Korea boost its spending on U.S. troops in the country more than fivefold shows once again that he is willing to undermine a long-standing alliance relationship in return for domestic political gains. The White House is asking Seoul to pony up $5 billion for the 28,500 U.S. troops in the South in 2020 — up from $923 million this year. This might please his supporters at home, but it is seriously undermining the 70-year-old friendship between the two countries — a friendship sealed in blood.

John Bolton hits Trump for bluffing on North Korea nukes
https://www.axios.com/bolton-john-t...les-94088bf9-4d2d-4d10-bfd9-80db7bc36a50.html

North Korea Is No Longer Bound by Nuclear Test Moratorium, Kim Says
North Korea Is No Longer Bound by Nuclear Test Moratorium, Kim Says

 

[MindWars]

It takes a full blown TARD to believe this bs lmfao.

 

[AzogtheDefiler]

By proposing NATOME, Trump wants the US & Europe to fight for Israel's territorial expansion.

Trump proposes 'NATOME': NATO expanded to MidEast


Apparently Trump wants to include Israel into NATOME, but the people of the US & Europe do not want to fight wars for Israel's territorial expansion, they would seek to leave or disable NATO --- that is exactly what Beijing & Moscow want.

Trump's NATOME is actually an indirect way to destruct NATO, which fulfills Beijing & Moscow‘s strategic wishes.

[United Nations] Israeli Settlement Expansion Flagrant Violation of International Law


Tensions As Israel Targets Syria in Airstrikes


“Yet Another Declaration of War on Palestinians”: Rashid Khalidi on Trump’s Middle East “Peace” Plan

You’re lazy. You just dumped a bunch of partisan data and bam you want us to read and watch it all instead of summarizing your thoughts in a concise manner. This is not a data dump forum. My guess is that you’re a foreigner and your English is not very strong so you just cut and paste anti US propaganda

 

[revealer2k]

You call all these facts reported by the mainstream medias "anti US propaganda", so only the “deep state” & reptilian conspiracy theories are the truth ?

But the truth is, Trump is indeed anti-US and you are supporting him to destroy the US.

 

[revealer2k]

Trump works hard to isolate the US and destroy the international order established by the US.

Trump threatens to withdraw from World Trade Organization
Trump threatens to withdraw from World Trade Organization

Trump threatens to pull US out of World Trade Organization
Trump threatens to pull US out of WTO

What Might a Trump Withdrawal from the World Trade Organization Mean for US Tariffs?
What Might a Trump Withdrawal from the World Trade Organization Mean for US Tariffs?

A decision by President Trump to withdraw the United States from the WTO—if deemed legal under US law—could deal a disastrous blow to America’s foreign trade and would likely cripple an organization that has helped foster peaceful commercial relations for over seven decades.

U.S. blocks WTO judge reappointment as dispute settlement crisis looms
U.S. blocks WTO judge reappointment as dispute settlement crisis looms

U.S. President Donald Trump has railed against the WTO, calling it a catastrophe and a disaster. He has said the United States loses cases because other countries have most of the judges.

If the U.S. veto paralyses the dispute system, it would end 23 years of WTO enforcement, the keystone of international efforts to prevent trade protectionism, at a time of heightened global trade tensions.

U.S. takes about 2 dozen countries off list of developing nations, allowing tougher trade penalties
U.S. takes about 2 dozen countries off list of developing nations, allowing tougher trade penalties

The Trump administration is changing a key exemption to America’s trade-remedy laws to make it easier to penalize about two dozen so-called developing countries including China, India and South Africa.

The U.S. on Monday narrowed its internal list of developing and least-developed countries in order to reduce the threshold for triggering a U.S. investigation into whether nations are harming U.S. industries with unfairly subsidized exports, according to a U.S. Trade Representative notice.

In doing so, the U.S. eliminated its special preferences for a list of self-declared developing countries. Among them: Albania; Argentina; Armenia; Brazil; Bulgaria; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; Georgia; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; the Kyrgyz Republic; Malaysia; Moldova; Montenegro; North Macedonia; Romania; Singapore; South Africa; South Korea; Thailand; Ukraine; and Vietnam.

U.S. Revokes WTO Subsidy Preferences for Some Developing Nations
U.S. Revokes WTO Subsidy Preferences for Some Developing Nations

Trump is fighting an open war on trade. His stealth war on trade may be even more important.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...alth-war-on-trade-may-be-even-more-important/

The Trump administration has been waging a behind-the-scenes campaign against the WTO’s dispute settlement system. It is holding hostage the selection of new members to the AB, which functions as the WTO’s de facto court of appeals, unless unspecified U.S. demands are met.

This U.S.-made crisis threatens to undo the multilateral rules-based trading system that the U.S. created after the Cold War and replace it with a return to aggressive power politics unchecked by the rule of law.

The edifice of the rules-based international trading system has stood for decades, but international courts and the rule of law are fragile, and there is no guarantee that they will stand up to a sustained assault.

 

[revealer2k]

Besides Beijing and Moscow, another hidden hand that made Trump president is Neo-Nazi.

Racist and xenophobic speeches are now everywhere in the world, people became more selfish, anti-universal, and even anti-democratic. This is not a purely natural phenomena caused by immigrant issues, cultural conflicts, and economic problems, etc. There is a hidden hand behind all of these --- Neo-Nazi.

Unlike those Neo-Nazi groups formed by normal citizens, this international Neo-Nazi force do not openly admit they are Neo-Nazists. They pretend to be normal citizens and spread racist and xenophobia ideologies in every country, including the US, UK, Russia, China, etc. They successfully influenced many people around the world.

Neo-Nazi propaganda in different countries share some common characteristics:

1. They claim that the local or majority race is the best, and the foreign or minority races are inferior. Because of the born superiority, the local or majority race can do every bad thing to the foreign or minority races, including killing them.

For example, in the US, they promote white supremacy & anti-immigrant ideology. In Russia, they preach that Russian race is the best and all minorities or non-Russian races should be kicked out of Russia. In China, they claim that Han race is the most superior race and should slaughter the minority races. In Hong Kong, they invented a concept of "Hong Kong race" and stir up hatred towards mainland Chinese people, etc. These ideologies satisfy the local people's selfish ego and therefore grab many followers easily.

2. They promote conspiracy theories on Freemasonry, Reptilians, New World Order, etc.

For example, Many Trump supporters believe that the facts regarding Trump reported by mainstream media are attacks from the "deep state", therefore they will support Trump no matter what he said, what he did, and what the media reported.

They believe globalization is a step of New World Order planned by Freemasonry or Reptilians, therefore they support Isolationism and anti-immigrant policies and oppose universal values, calling the supporters of universal values leftists or socialists.

3. They promote anti-democracy ideology and claim that a powerful dictator is better for a country.

The purpose of this international Neo-Nazi power:

When every race of the world believe that they are the most superior one and can do every bad thing to other races, what will happen ?

The answer is: World War III. The current international order is established by the US & UK after WWII. In order to subvert the current international order and establish a new one, the hidden international Neo-Nazi force wants a new world war.

This is somewhat ironic - the preacher of New World Order conspiracy theory, actually wants a new world order by making a new world war.

Many of Trump's efforts, such as damaging the US's relationship with its allies, isolating the US, paralyzing WTO, withdrawal from missile treaty and nuclear deal, trying to destruct NATO and destroy the US defense line at the first island chain, recognizing Jerusalem and Golan Heights as parts of Israel, an so forth, are not only achieving Beijing & Moscow's strategic goals, but also leading to a new global war, and this is exactly what the hidden international Neo-Nazi force want.

 

[revealer2k]

Neo-Nazi says he's emboldened by Trump


Trump says he's not a racist. That's not how white nationalists see it
Trump says he's not a racist. That's not how white nationalists see it - CNNPolitics

White Supremacists, Extremists Celebrate President Trump’s Latest Racist Tweets
White Supremacists, Extremists Celebrate President Trump’s Latest Racist Tweets

MSNBC guest: 'Trump is more racist than neo-Nazis'
MSNBC guest: 'Trump is more racist than neo-Nazis'

 

[revealer2k]

Trump supporters want to make Trump president for life by force

Some Donald Trump Voters Warn of Revolution if Hillary Clinton Wins
Some Donald Trump Voters Warn of Revolution if Hillary Clinton Wins

Trump supporters raise talk of armed revolt as he stokes their fears of a ‘rigged’ election
Trump supporters raise talk of armed revolt as he stokes their fears of a ‘rigged’ election

Armed Militias Are Taking Trump’s Civil War Tweets Seriously
Armed Militias Are Taking Trump’s Civil War Tweets Seriously

Over the weekend, the president sent a tweet that seemed to warn of civil war if he were to be impeached and removed from office

Trump "Militia" Member Warns Of Armed Revolution


Armed Trump supporter detained with gun and knife outside immigrant centre in El Paso
Armed Trump supporter detained with gun and knife outside immigrant centre in El Paso

Trump Supporters Threaten Another Civil War If Trump Loses In 2020
Trump Supporters Threaten Another Civil War If Trump Loses In 2020 - The Ring of Fire Network

At a recent pro-Trump rally, several supporters of the President said that they are prepared to launch a new “civil war” if Donald Trump does not win reelection. This is not the first time that his supporters have threatened an armed insurrection, and apparently it won’t be the last, either.

Trump says supporters might ‘demand’ that he serve more than two terms as president
https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...6b9ae2-9041-11e9-b570-6416efdc0803_story.html

Trump praises Chinese president extending tenure 'for life'
Trump praises Chinese president extending tenure 'for life'

Trump says supporters could 'demand' he not leave office after two terms
Trump says supporters could 'demand' he not leave after two terms

Trump Has Said 27 Times He Won’t Leave Office After His Term Ends

 

[revealer2k]

Obama vs Trump, whose policies benefit Moscow & Beijing ？


1. The Asia Rebalance Strategy

Russia invaded Ukraine, the communist China's growing military power threatens its neighbors, and with Beijing and Moscow's help, North Korea advances its development of nuclear weapons and missiles rapidly.

The Six-party talks aimed to resolve the North Korean nuclear weapon problem, but because of Beijing and Moscow's "strategic procrastination", it became a time-wasting procedure that actually buys time for North Korean, allowing Kim Jong-Un to further develop his nuclear warheads and missiles. Kim's goal is to make his nuclear missiles able to attack the US directly, and force the world to recognize North Korea as a nuclear-weapon state.

Under such circumstances, Obama launched the Asia Rebalance Plan.


2. TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership)

TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) is the economic part of Asia Rebalance Strategy. Obama knows that the US needs allies to achieve its global strategic goals, therefore he signed TPP, an international trade agreement between the US and many Asia-Pacific countries, excluding Russia & China.

Moscow and Beijing hate TPP, because TPP is an economic containment strategy against Russia and the communist China. This economic union led by the US will weaken Russia and the communist China and prevent them from dominating Asia-Pacific region by economic invasion and infiltration.

However, Trump withdrew the US signature from TPP right after he took office, and therefore successfully destroyed the US's economic containment strategy against Russia and the communist China.

Not only that, Trump also wants to launch trade wars against many countries including US allies, but because of the congress's interference, Trump was only able to start a trade war against China so far.

Obama's strategy is ( US + allies ) vs ( Beijing & Moscow ) , while Trump's strategy is ( US alone ) vs ( many countries including US allies ). Which one is good for America ? The answer is obvious.


3. The international oil price

The price of oil is a vital factor that affects Russia's economy. For this reason, Obama made the price of oil decline, in order to prevent Russia from strengthening its invasive military power.

However, this strategy was subverted by Trump. In order to help Russia's economy, Trump did a number of things to raise the oil price, including withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, dismantling of environmental regulations, etc.


4. Shifting military focus from the middle east to Asia-Pacific

Military redeployment is another part of the Asia Rebalance Strategy. In order to shift the US's military focus from the middle east to Asia-Pacific, Obama signed the Iran nuclear deal, and put great efforts into stabilizing the middle east.

However, these efforts were all destroyed by Trump. Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, and ignited the middle east tinderbox by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and Golan Heights as part of Israel.

Trump's decisions forced the US to throw more troops into the middle east mess, undermining the Asia Rebalance Strategy, and therefore helped Beijing and Moscow greatly.


5. The first island chain

The US maintains a defensive line at the first island chain, to prevent Russia, the Communist China, and North Korea from attacking the US directly. Obama knows the importance of this and therefore tightened US ties with Japan and Korea, and deployed THAAD in South Korea.

However, Trump claimed that he wants US troops to retreat from Japan and South Korea, which means that he wants Russia, the Communist China, and North Korea able to attack the US directly.

When the relationship between Japan and South Korea became worse because of Beijing & Moscow's secret work, Trump chose to ignore it.

Moreover, in order to find some excuses to withdraw US troops from Japan & South Korea, Trump demanded South Korea and Japan to raise their spending on the US troops by four times, and recently even threatened the Korean employees of USFK ( U.S. Forces Korea ) with unpaid leave.

Let's make one thing clear --- even if South Korea and Japan pay zero for US troops, the US still need to maintain the defensive line at the first island chain. Trump's threat of US troops withdrawal from South Korea & Japan is not only a threat to South Korea & Japan, but also a threat to America itself.

Trump often uses selfish excuses to damage the relationship between US and its allies, many of his supporters are deceived, believing that he works for American interests, but actually Trump hurts America greatly, and continuously.


6. NATO

Without NATO, Russia and the communist China can invade other countries one by one, and turn them all into tyrannical regimes. NATO is the biggest obstacle to Moscow & Beijing's ambition. For this reason, destroying NATO became Trump's foremost task.

Trump tries to destruct NATO by various means, including being rude to the leaders of US allies, damaging the relationship between US and its allies, trying to launch trade wars against them, etc.

Trump often uses selfish excuses, such as "Unfair to America", "Other countries should pay more", to justify his anti-US decisions, trying to make them look like pro-US decisions, and successfully fooled a lot of people.

The congress was aware of Trump's evil intention, and therefore set some barriers to prevent Trump from making US withdraw from NATO.

So as a "work-around", Trump proposed NATOME, in order to drag US & Europe into the mess of the middle east, shifting NATO's primary goal, and finally destruct NATO.


7. US leadership, world organizations, and international order

The leading role of US is pivotal to the current post-WWII international order. All former US presidents understand this, they founded many world organizations led by the US, and acted together with allies to achieve global strategic goals.

However, Trump does the contrary. Trump tries to renounce US global leadership, exit from all world organizations founded by the US, and demolish the international order established by the US.

Former US presidents' strategy is ( Keeping US global leadership ) & ( Acting together with allies ), while Trump's strategy is ( Renouncing US global leadership ) & ( Destroying US-led alliances ). Which one is good for America, and which one benefits Moscow & Beijing ? The answer is obvious.


8. The core values of America

The core values of America: freedom, equality, justice, self-government, diversity, etc., build up the spirit of America, which makes US a symbol of freedom & democracy, and the leader of the liberal international order.

And also, it is this spirit of America that makes the US truly great, honorable, admirable, and attractive, helping the US to gain long-term strategic advantages.

All former US presidents know this, therefore they always emphasize the universal values --- the values of freedom, human-rights, democracy, justice, etc., condemn those tyrannical regimes that violate these values, and support the individuals and organizations that struggle for these values.

However, unlike all former US presidents, Trump does not care about the core values of America. While claiming "make America great again", Trump actually abandoned the spirit of America that makes America truly great.

Always emphasizing short-term interests and monetary benefits, Trump throws away America's long-term national interests, moral standards, and spiritual benefits. Maybe a short-sighted, greedy, immoral, unjust, treacherous, and autocratic America is "great" for Trump, but it is neither great for the American people, nor for the world.

 

[revealer2k]

Donald Trump’s disgraceful bow to Russia
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/latest-news/article214968885.html

Putin got exactly what he wants from NATO this week, thanks to Trump
Putin got exactly what he wants from NATO this week, thanks to Trump

 

[anynameyouwish]

Trump had already achieved many strategic goals for Beijing and Moscow, I will explain the details in the following posts.

1. he gave venezuela to the russians

2. he just helped the philipines turn to the chinese communists...

 

[revealer2k]

Trump Supports Sales of High-Tech Products to China, in Blow to Hawks
Trump Supports Sales of High-Tech Products to China, in Blow to Hawks

GE to get export license for jet engines; president’s comments come amid debate over protecting U.S. technology

Trump opposes possible ban on sale of jet engines to China
Trump opposes possible ban on sale of jet engines to China

President Donald Trump signaled Tuesday via Twitter that he opposes efforts to block the sale of jet engines to China.

Trump blasts proposed U.S. restrictions on sale of jet parts to China
Trump blasts proposed U.S. restrictions on sale of jet parts to China

President Donald Trump objected on Tuesday to U.S. proposals that would prevent companies from supplying jet engines and other components to China’s aviation industry and suggested he had instructed his administration not to implement them.

“I want China to buy our jet engines, the best in the World,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

 

[Uncensored2008]

Trump Supports Sales of High-Tech Products to China, in Blow to Hawks
Trump Supports Sales of High-Tech Products to China, in Blow to Hawks

GE to get export license for jet engines; president’s comments come amid debate over protecting U.S. technology

Trump opposes possible ban on sale of jet engines to China
Trump opposes possible ban on sale of jet engines to China

President Donald Trump signaled Tuesday via Twitter that he opposes efforts to block the sale of jet engines to China.

Trump blasts proposed U.S. restrictions on sale of jet parts to China
Trump blasts proposed U.S. restrictions on sale of jet parts to China

President Donald Trump objected on Tuesday to U.S. proposals that would prevent companies from supplying jet engines and other components to China’s aviation industry and suggested he had instructed his administration not to implement them.

“I want China to buy our jet engines, the best in the World,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

And the Bot goes on, and the Bot goes on. La de da de dee, la de da de da, the Bot goes on, the Bot goes on....

 

[revealer2k]

Trump wants to break up with the Philippines, giving another great military advantage to Beijing & Moscow

Beijing & Moscow want to break through the US defensive line at the first island chain, and Trump is helping them.

First island chain - Wikipedia

Duterte Terminates U.S. Defense Pact, Pleasing Trump but Few Others
Duterte Terminates U.S. Defense Pact, Pleasing Trump but Few Others

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte decided on Tuesday to end a long-standing defense agreement with the United States, signaling a major break in a U.S.-Philippines military alliance that the United States has long seen as essential to countering the rise of China.

U.S. President Donald Trump shrugged off the move, saying it will “save a lot of money” for the United States. But defense officials and analysts in both countries expressed grave concern the termination would fuel Beijing’s aggressive position in the South China Sea, where it asserts sovereignty over areas claimed by other countries, including the Philippines.

The termination of the VFA has been interpreted as a move toward other powers, such as China and Russia, which a diplomat said Wednesday is discussing a joint military technical cooperation agreement with the Philippines.

Trump Downplays Philippines' Termination of Military Pact
Trump Downplays Philippines' Termination of Military Pact

President Donald Trump is downplaying the Philippine government’s notice to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) that allows American troops to train in the Southeast Asian country, saying such a move will save the U.S. “a lot of money.”

Trump’s statement contradicts his Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who on Tuesday said that dissolving the bilateral agreement with the Philippines “would be a move in the wrong direction.”

Esper said the termination, set to take effect in 180 days, runs counter to bilateral efforts with the Philippines and collective efforts with regional allies to push China toward abiding by international norms in the region.

US Defense Secretary: Dissolving Philippines Military Pact a Move in 'Wrong Direction'
US Defense Secretary: Dissolving Philippines Military Pact a Move in 'Wrong Direction'

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says dissolving the bilateral agreement with the Philippines that covers visiting U.S. military forces there "would be a move in the wrong direction."

The U.S. defense secretary said the move, set to take effect in 180 days, runs counter to bilateral efforts with the Philippines and collective efforts with regional allies to push China toward abiding by international norms in the region.

One of the U.S.'s oldest allies walking away from a security pact would be a serious blow to U.S. credibility as a regional security provider, said Gregory Poling, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"By not having the ability for U.S. troops to move freely into the Philippines, to operate there and to move military equipment into the Philippines makes it much more difficult for the U.S. to make good on its obligations under the mutual defense treaty," Grossman added.

Analysts say without access to the Philippines, the U.S. will not be in a position to rapidly respond to threats from China in the South China Sea. They say it will also weaken U.S. counterterror and intelligence gathering in the region, and undermine the ability to protect freedom of the seas and contest Chinese coercion in the South China Sea.

 

[revealer2k]

Fresh Philippines fiasco leaves vacuum for China to fill
Fresh Philippines fiasco leaves vacuum for China to fill | The Japan Times

A recent decision by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States was a fiasco. The unfortunate move was predictable, however, because it was the second security fiasco Manila has made in the last three decades.

The decision is a serious mistake for five reasons. First, it was impulsive. As in the 1930s, we have once again entered an era of uncertainty where decisions by intuition, coincidence and misjudgment prevail. U.S. President Donald Trump, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping all have made and will continue to make irreversibly wrong decisions. Now Duterte seems to have joined their ranks, although he has some rationale to challenge Washington.

Second, Duterte’s decision created another power vacuum in the South China Sea.

Third, the move will prompt China to fill the security vacuum.
......
Barring U.S. military personnel from visiting the Philippines and conducting exercises with their Filipino counterparts will only create another power vacuum in the region ands embolden Beijing to do much more.

Fourth, the move endangers the U.S. and its allies in the region.
......
The Philippines is not alone in East Asia. While Beijing is a powerful neighbor, Manila has many Southeast Asian neighbors, friends and allies that share common values and interests across the Pacific Ocean. Manila’s impulsive and reckless decision could pose a threat to them by endangering freedom of navigation in the region.

Duterte wants to break up with the US military. What does that mean for Australia?
'One of the geopolitical shocks of the decade' as Duterte flips the bird to the US military

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has informed Washington that he will tear up a longstanding military pact, a decision that would have ramifications far beyond the South-East Asian nation.

The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), signed between the two countries in February 1998, sets the rules for the US-Philippine alliance.

"[The VFA] operationalises the mutual defence treaty with the United States," said Richard Heydarian, a Manila-based analyst.

"Absent that, the alliance is essentially an empty shell.

Indeed, Mr Trump appears completely unfazed by Mr Duterte's decision, which critics say is tantamount to ending the alliance — one that has been strong since 1951 and is a key peg of US power in the region.

"If they would like to do that, that's fine. We'll save a lot of money," Mr Trump said during a White House press briefing.

But Mr Trump's view is hardly mainstream in the US defence establishment.

Defence Secretary Mark Esper called the move a "move in the wrong direction".

Another top US official told reporters in the Philippines that the decision could effectively see the alliance "be reduced or disappear".

Huong Le Thu, a regional security expert at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, told the ABC that "since coming to office, Duterte has advocated for more 'independent' posture which in his understanding was more 'less America, more China'."

The US has routinely conducted "freedom of navigation" operations in the South China Sea as part of pushing back against Beijing's wide-ranging claims in the contested waters.
......
Beijing deployed its second aircraft carrier into the South China Sea in late 2019, which analysts suggested was a way to further project China's status in the region.

In recent months, Jakarta was engaged in a stand-off with Beijing over Chinese vessels trespassing into Indonesian waters near the South China Sea.

"The termination of the VFA will seriously affect deterrence capacity in the South China Sea," Dr Le Thu said.

 

[Shawnee_b]

Hope he is at least getting the $15 hr minimum wage

 

[revealer2k]

Trump can't wait to help Russia again by raising oil price

Trump says government will buy crude oil to help industry
Trump says government will buy crude oil to help industry

President Trump said Friday that the U.S. would purchase "large quantities" of crude oil in order to help the industry, which has been hit by sinking prices this week.

Oil rebounds 5% as Trump says US will purchase oil for strategic reserve
Oil rebounds 5% as Trump says US will purchase oil for strategic reserve

Trump orders mass oil buys to 'fill up' reserve
Trump orders mass oil buys to 'fill up' reserve

Oil Change International response to Trump’s announced SPR purchase
Oil Change International response to Trump’s announced SPR purchase - Oil Change International

Today with his announcement of purchasing oil to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Donald Trump has once again put the interests of oil and gas executives ahead of the interests of people and communities.

“With this move, Trump has rolled out a plan to prop up US oil companies before he has even bothered to guarantee paid sick leave for US workers who are going to be on the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis for weeks to come.

“It’s wildly inappropriate for the President of the United States to abuse the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as a tool to prop up the oil and gas industry at a time when the White House should be focusing on how to help everyday people in the US.

Russia vs Saudi: How much pain can they take in oil price war?
Russia vs Saudi: How much pain can they take in oil price war?

 

[revealer2k]

Boosting oil price to help Russia's economy is always Trump's topmost concern
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...d-75-million-barrels-to-strategic-oil-reserve

President Donald Trump said he wants to add as much as 75 million barrels of oil to the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve

--- to boost oil price for Russia's sake

and that he’ll consider blocking imports of crude from Saudi Arabia.

--- to punish Russia's competitor

Oil Crisis Challenges Putin’s Power
Oil Crisis Challenges Putin’s Power | OilPrice.com

On March 31, Trump called Putin to discuss the novel coronavirus crisis and oil markets. Kremlin statements routinely note who initiates the call when Putin talks to foreign leaders, and the Kremlin readout makes it clear that Trump made the call – the inference was that Trump, not Putin, urgently needed relief from the price war and the pandemic.