Is any other American embarrassed by President Trump’s kowtowing to Xi Jinping during his recent trip? Trump seemed so servile during the reception banquet that I could have vomited. “China is our friend;” “I’m so honored to be here” in this tiny gentle voice. Sheesh, why didn’t he bow down, too?
So what did he accomplish? He touted that a big part of his reason for going was to help our farmers suffering from tariff repercussions. While two deals were reached that will benefit our farmers and reverse the tariff damage, the caveat is that China can now buy and own U.S. farmland. How about America’s advanced technologies and the need to keep our trade secrets from an adversary? No, now the American company nVidia can sell advanced technologies directly to China for its AI market.
Did he address Taiwan and tell Xi not to invade? Again, no. He couldn’t utter one peep, even when Xi said the U.S. can’t interfere or there “would be conflict.” Threatening us! Maybe he got China to intervene with Iran? No, China and Iran are allies, so nothing happening there.
In my opinion, the only thing to come out of that conversation was the revelation that China thinks we are a nation in decline while China’s superstar status is rising. When Xi told Trump not to fall into the Thucydides’ Trap, it wasn’t a reference to the Biden years, it refers to a declining country starting wars to try to stay a great power. Trump said nothing when this veiled insult was thrown at him. Utterly shameful.
Karla Thomas
Hempfield
