U.S.-China Relationship

The U.S.-China Relationship Is At A Tipping Point – What Are The Risks?

Presenter: John Pope

December, 2019

The US-China relationship is at a new low.  As the trade war escalates and tensions over Hong Kong mount, chances of a violent confrontation loom ominously.  Our discussion will focus on this relationship, and what it means for the US, China, Canada, and the world.  We will also discuss American Exceptionalism and its role in this confrontation. 

The Military Risks:  “As relations between the U.S. and China continue to deteriorate, one immediate risk is a “military accident or operational miscalculation” between the armed forces of both countries, said former U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry”: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/21/ex-us-army-official-warns-of-military-accident-amid-us-china-tensions.html

The Political Risks:  The issue of Hong Kong protests could be a trigger for a more serious China-US confrontation.  “US prepares new Taiwan legislation after infuriating China over Hong Kong”:http://www.rfi.fr/en/asia/20191129-us-prepares-new-legislation-taiwan-after-infuriating-china-over-hong-kong-law

“Donald Trump’s decision to sign the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act into law will further complicate the world’s most important bilateral diplomatic relationship.”:  https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/us-trump-hong-kong-act-complicates-china-important-relationship-12133846

The Economic Risks: The economic relationship between the two countries is at a new low: “Whether or not a trade truce is reached, the two countries have been pushed further apart, the former Treasury secretary [Henry Paulson] said.”:  https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/business/dealbook/henry-paulson-china.html

American Exceptionalism: “Henry Kissinger Gets It… US ‘Exceptionalism’ Is Over”: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/52638.htm  <–  Is it?  I strongly suggest reading this article for the best overview of the situation.

“The State Department once declared, “To seek less than preponderant power would be to opt for defeat.” At the root of much of humanity’s insecurity is, remarkably, the self-belief and self-delusion of one nation: the United States.”  John Pilger interview: https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2019/11/27/american-exceptionalism-driving-world-to-war-john-pilger/

“American Exceptionalism” is the theory that the United States is qualitatively different from other nations.  -Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism

US President Obama stated at the UN Sep. 2013: “Some may disagree, but I believe America is exceptional, in part because we have shown a willingness, to the sacrifice of blood and treasure to stand up, not only for our own interests, but for the interests of all.” http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/09/24/obama-tells-other-world-leaders-i-believe-america-is-exceptional/

Paul Craig Roberts disagrees: “Just as the Nazis proclaimed ‘Deutschland uber alles,’ neoconservatives proclaim ‘America uber alles.’  http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/tag/american-exceptionalism/

Canada’s Involvement:  Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei Corporation, was detained in Canada at the request of US authorities.  She remains under house arrest in Vancouver and is awaiting a hearing on her possible extradition to the United States. She and Huawei face a number of charges — including bank fraud, trade secrets theft and skirting US sanctions on Iran — in US federal courts.  Here’s a recent report:  https://www.koamnewsnow.com/news/technology/huawei-ceos-daughter-face-of-uschina-trade-war/1147073971

Questions

What is driving the confrontation between the world’s two ‘super-powers’?

How effective are tariffs?

What will be the outcome of the Hong Kong protests?  What would happen if China arbitrarily tore up the Hong Kong ‘agreement’, and violently took over Hong Kong to assimilate the territory with the rest of China?  How would the US respond?

What role does American Exceptionalism play in the confrontation between the two nations?

What effect has Meng’s arrest and detention had on our country? 

Did you read the article above on Henry Kissinger’s views? (recommended)