Trump Stands Tough on Trade War with China by... Wait, what?

[Phi for All]

Last month, the US prez claimed China would be the first to buckle when it came to his trade war gambit: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-08/trump-vows-that-china-will-take-down-its-trade-barriers

Now he's lifting the trade ban on ZTE so he can help fasttrack this Chinese company's recovery: http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-trump-tells-commerce-department-to-help-chinese-company-2018-5. Is this the great negotiator in action? 

ZTE buys a lot of US parts but they broke the law and were only a month into a multi-year ban. Is this commercial diplomacy, or weasel ethics, or investment opportunism, or what?

 

[Ten oz]

Whether it is Trump's personal Lawyer accepting money in trade for WH access, Kushner & Ivanka mixing their businesses with official WH business, or Trump himself having his properties upgraded on the Secret Services dime it is obvious to anyone paying attention that their are currently massive conflicts of interest happening with this White House. Trump appears to act based on his only personnel self interest and indifference toward ethics and the law. As a result I am very suspicious of Trump's motives, especially when it comes to business/trade, and wouldn't be surprised if there is some quid quo pro in place between himself and ZTE. 

[Endy0816]

1 hour ago, Phi for All said:

Last month, the US prez claimed China would be the first to buckle when it came to his trade war gambit: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-08/trump-vows-that-china-will-take-down-its-trade-barriers

Now he's lifting the trade ban on ZTE so he can help fasttrack this Chinese company's recovery: http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-trump-tells-commerce-department-to-help-chinese-company-2018-5. Is this the great negotiator in action? 

ZTE buys a lot of US parts but they broke the law and were only a month into a multi-year ban. Is this commercial diplomacy, or weasel ethics, or investment opportunism, or what?

 

Personally think it has to do with NK. Probably promised this and more.

[Phi for All]

25 minutes ago, Endy0816 said:

Personally think it has to do with NK.

Quite possibly. Seriously weakens his stance against the Iran deal, considering ZTE was fined over a billion dollars for violating sanctions against Iran. 

To me, it points out how play-it-by-ear real estate negotiations are a far cry from a workable geopolitical policy. The Kim family has a LOT of experience dealing with US presidents.

It also seems like more confusion infusion, designed to provide a distraction so you don't see what the other hand is doing. America First, right after we help this Chinese company with a track record of questionable decisions involving national security.

[Ten oz]

Trump only does things that benefit him. I think it is safe to assume there is some quid pro quo a play regarding ZTE. Perhaps it is the 500 million China just loaned him?

Quote

 

May 14, 2018 1:56 PM

The Chinese government is extending a $500 million loan to a state-owned construction company to build an Indonesian theme park that will feature a Trump-branded golf course and hotels.

A subsidiary of Chinese state-owned construction firm Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC) signed a deal last week with the Indonesian firm MNC Land to build an “integrated lifestyle resort,” as part of Beijing’s global influence-expanding “Belt and Road” infrastructure initiative.

https://www.nationalreview.com/news/china-contributing-500-million-trump-linked-project-indonesia/

 

 

[CharonY]

So Trump has finally committed to actions against the real enemies. 

[StringJunky]

2 hours ago, CharonY said:

So Trump has finally committed to actions against the real enemies. 

Somewhere in Reuters there's an article that Europe is aiming tariffs on goods from Republican-controlled areas, hoping to hurt their election chances. This seems a reasonable strategy.

Edited June 1, 2018 by StringJunky

[MigL]

The US has gone from being admired by the rest of the free world, to a laughing stock on D Trump's election, and eventually to being hated by all for allowing D Trump to pull stunts like this.

[Ten oz]

Despite the tough talk from Trump U.S. demand from Chinese product remains high.

Quote

 

BEIJING—China’s trade surplus with the U.S. hit a record last year, as robust American demand for Chinese goods undercut the Trump administration’s tariff offensive aimed at narrowing the countries’ lopsided trade gap.

China recorded $323.32 billion in surplus with the U.S. in 2018, representing a 17% jump from the figure in the previous year, according to Chinese government trade data released Monday. Link