An Interesting Footnote

China Gets It

Even if the general US population doesn't understand what is going on, the leadership in China understands recent US moves. The bottom line is that China needs the US and US markets if it intends to march forward and engulf all of Asia, which are their aims. Asia in fifty years, Africa in fifty years (or simply drained of all mineral wealth) and Russia when they get around to it.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin spoke about the issue  yesterday on Fox News:

“We are going to proceed with our tariffs. We’re working on that,” Mnuchin told “Fox News Sunday” in an exclusive interview, while acknowledging the U.S. is also trying to reach a trade deal with China in which the country would reduce tariffs and further open its markets. 

“We’re simultaneously having negotiations with the Chinese to see if we can reach an agreement,” he also said. “As the president has said, we want to cut the trade deficit $100 billion over the next year. … I’m cautiously hopeful we reach an agreement, but if not we are proceeding with these tariffs. We are not putting them on hold.”

And that's how it's going

• If China doesn't leash back its North Korean dog, it there will be a nuclear war on its doorstep. They're working to bring the Norks to the bargaining table. 
• If China won't stop dumping steel and is not capable of dealing with $100 billion in trade deficits next year (meaning it will need to buy more from US markets), they'll be hit with tariffs and it will hurt them worse.
• China is on a military build up for hegemony in the Pacific, the US is building 37 more warships with emphasis on submarines that can sink the Chinese fleet.

China played it's hand early. Now President Trump is responding and their options are far more limited than it might seem - if they want to keep their agenda on schedule.