During the election campaign, Donald Trump talked tough about China. The United States, he said, "cannot continue to allow China to rape our country." But, last week, he put on a much different performance. Tony Burman writes:
Speaking at a joint appearance with the Chinese leader on Thursday, Trump lavished praise on Xi, calling him “a very special man” with whom he had “great chemistry.” He talked of the “absolutely terrific” dinner they had, and how much of a “very, very great honour” it was to be together with Xi.
Unlike past U.S. presidents in their visits to China, Trump made no reference to Chinese human rights violations and he didn’t insist that reporters be allowed to ask questions of the two leaders.
He noted the wide trade imbalance between the two countries, but blamed past U.S. administrations “for having allowed it to get so far out of kilter.” Trump went on to stress: “I don’t blame China. Who can blame a country that is able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens? I give China great credit.”
It was a remarkable turn around -- perhaps because the Chinese know how to deal with Big Egos:
Xi rolled out the red carpet when Trump and his wife arrived Wednesday. They were celebrated at an official dinner inside Beijing’s Forbidden City, an honour not granted to any U.S. president since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. China put on a military ceremony that featured soldiers swinging their guns in precision and hundreds of tiny children waving flags. Trump gushed afterward that this was “a truly memorable and impressive display.”
After World War I, the 21st century became the American century. But last week, "Trump left Beijing empty-handed. It was clear from the start that Chinese officials had no intention of conceding anything of substance to the U.S. president on issues such as North Korea or trade."
Trump has withdrawn from the Paris Climate Change Accord and the TPP. The countries of the world are watching. It looks like the 21st century will be the Chinese Century. The only thing Trump offers the world is hot air. That's all.
Image: Nicolas Asfouri/AFPGettyImages
