It's increasingly clear that this administration will do lasting economic damage and create an environment where the rule of law (the Constitution) is no longer infallible. Trump is behaving like a Banana-Republic despot and Bannon is an anarchist (I'm serious on this point - he IS an anarchist and very dangerous). It will be a miracle if we don't see a recession and I don't believe in miracles.
13
For all those at the top who reap the socialized benefits of capitalism while the masses are sold into predatory capitalism's debt-peonage, the oil-to-military-industrial-complex gravy-train is sucking the United States' ingenuity, influence and competitiveness down the drain. This a developed country undeveloping....
Reliance on an antiquated business model of bombing for so-called 'human rights,' destabilizing and then rebuilding (I could cite the litany of apt, historical examples) not only damages our reputation abroad but also undermines trade agreements, our humanitarian assistance and trust in the U.S. around the world.
Our clinging to this model presages for the United States the similar fates of Athens and Rome. But neither do 140 characters make a historical context for the United States citizenry, nor do oil-for-military endeavors believe in transitioning from their investors' needs and overall obscene profit margins. So cling to the old model: seven countries for our seven sins, and we'll follow Putin's lead into the Ukraine with our own (with Russia) all-out attack on the Middle East (ooops, I mean 'terrorists'). Is anyone watching how China is building high-speed rail through Turkey all the way to London from its western hinterlands? Has anyone noticed Japan's willingness to make huge business deals with Russia to develop the Russia far-east? China doesn't meddle in internal policies--and why should it, for we're handing the business over to them.
Reliance on an antiquated business model of bombing for so-called 'human rights,' destabilizing and then rebuilding (I could cite the litany of apt, historical examples) not only damages our reputation abroad but also undermines trade agreements, our humanitarian assistance and trust in the U.S. around the world.
Our clinging to this model presages for the United States the similar fates of Athens and Rome. But neither do 140 characters make a historical context for the United States citizenry, nor do oil-for-military endeavors believe in transitioning from their investors' needs and overall obscene profit margins. So cling to the old model: seven countries for our seven sins, and we'll follow Putin's lead into the Ukraine with our own (with Russia) all-out attack on the Middle East (ooops, I mean 'terrorists'). Is anyone watching how China is building high-speed rail through Turkey all the way to London from its western hinterlands? Has anyone noticed Japan's willingness to make huge business deals with Russia to develop the Russia far-east? China doesn't meddle in internal policies--and why should it, for we're handing the business over to them.
4
One thing that needs to be remembered through all this is that so many Americans felt disenfranchised that they were willing to take a chance on this buffoon despite all the red flags. Until we figure out some way to improve their lot in life, there's no guarantee that more and more of the country won't follow this strongman or another over a cliff
18
China is a 6,000 year old civilization with 3,500 years of written accounts. Until 1700 China was the world's wealthiest country and technology leader. The relative weakness of the 1700-1950 era is the aberration while China's return as the world's pre-eminent nation is the norm.
11
Do we remember the Tombstone theory of fixing problems? Flaws are not addressed and repaired until lives (often many lives) are lost. It takes a few tombstones to bring about change. That is why calls for Republican legislators to stand up to Trumpian abuses and mismanagement won't happen for some time, if ever. The situation will have to get much, much worse -- get so alarmingly terrible that even many devoted Trump voters will see the light. Given the climate of hypocrisy our leaders wallow in, odds are against the self-inflicted wounds of Republicans and other Trump enthusiasts bringing a return to near-normalcy, cooperation and compromise. It is cliche, but it is true: We have met the enemy, and the enemy is us.
Doug Giebel
Big Sandy, Montana
Doug Giebel
Big Sandy, Montana
10
Trump is about imagery, not consequences. By rejecting the TPP agreement and banning immigrants from some Muslim countries, he and his supporters think he is delivering on campaign promises. In reality, by rejecting TPP, he is weakening the US in Asia and empowering China, and by banning some Muslims, he is undermining our own moral standing while empowering Islamist extremists. The GOP establishment can't be too happy with what they see, especially the abandonment of the TPP which has always had their wholehearted support. Nonetheless, the GOP establishment deeply deserves Trump. Unfortunately, the country at large does not.
48
There may have been some benefit to the TPP, but the way it was developed, with input only from those who stood to benefit financially (or at least thought they would), and carefully excluding input from those who might be harmed, and the way President Obama and the Republicans tried to cram it down our throats (no changes permitted), made it impossible to support. A truly open process would certainly have fared better.
4
I wonder how many people realize that the big money Americans are already hedging their bets by becoming (or staying) dual citizens, investing in other countries like Paraguay (the Bush Family), New Zealand (Peter Thiel and other Silicon Valley types) and private islands. They also have their off-shore financial accounts in Panama, the Caribbean (Mnuchin) and the Channel Islands. Their factories are already in third world countries. When Trump gets through destroying this country for those of us who are stuck here, they will all be gone.
9
When hasn't America been a self-interested transactional nation? When haven't we mistreated ethnic minorities? TPP helped define IP rights in Asia but IPRs are territorial by nature (i.e., the rights are awarded and enforced at the national level) and the TPP did not really protect labor unions? If you think so, read this: (http://bit.ly/2jQRB32).
Set aside those lofty goals and it is right to tear up a treaty that benefits large corporations that take jobs away from America. China is a tough competitor with a population that dwarfs America. Most large corporations hungrily eye China's population for their future growth and are willing to play ball with a government that plays hard ball. They will not be content with manufacturing jobs. They will require firms who want access to their markets to set up offices with knowledge based staff and more jobs will flow to Asia. The only way to confront China's economic aggression is direct, not by proxy. Donald Trump is, indeed, ethically challenged and wrong on many fronts, but he's got this one right.
Set aside those lofty goals and it is right to tear up a treaty that benefits large corporations that take jobs away from America. China is a tough competitor with a population that dwarfs America. Most large corporations hungrily eye China's population for their future growth and are willing to play ball with a government that plays hard ball. They will not be content with manufacturing jobs. They will require firms who want access to their markets to set up offices with knowledge based staff and more jobs will flow to Asia. The only way to confront China's economic aggression is direct, not by proxy. Donald Trump is, indeed, ethically challenged and wrong on many fronts, but he's got this one right.
1
I should put my hopes in Corky, the Maverick, & Little Marco? I don't think so.
Does anyone think these worms are going to stop the storm troopers from rounding up, putting in camps, & deporting (or worse)?
Resist!
Does anyone think these worms are going to stop the storm troopers from rounding up, putting in camps, & deporting (or worse)?
Resist!
5
It's too rich when David Leonhardt wrote: "The big unknown is whether ... China will mold the rest of the world in its current closed and authoritarian image." Trump and his cronies are telling the reporters to shut up, calling them pushers of fake news. Trump embraces nepotism, he refuse to release his tax return, while the massive secret national security bureaus exposed by the whistle blowers continue to operate in the dark, and American drones continue to hit targets with impunity and untold dead and maimed "collateral damage". The rest of the world living outside the American media bubble is not blind. To them there is a silver lining with the big bully (who just mocked Senator Schumer's fake tears) being the American President. Trump shows the true color of USA which is consistent with its image aboard for decades: the Big Bully who invade other countries, murder their elected leaders, overthrow governments, and practice predatory trade tactics on products such as life-saving drugs. But now: opportunities.
7
So now that you folks elected, through your wonderful democracy, a President named Donald Trump, pray can you tell which country (countries?) are you Americans going to invade wholesale (or perhaps completely wreck) next?
Under George The Dubya Bush, you folks conquered two countries that weren't even bordering you. Heck, I think Afghanistan and Iraq are in a completely different continent to the Americas.
Under Nobel Peace Prize Winner Barack Obama, you folks crashed, smashed and wrecked (though no invasion or conquest.... what a relief!!!) Libya, Ukraine, and indirectly, Syria.
So who will President Trump, elected by the citizens of the United States of America, set his eye upon?
I'm betting he will invade Iran. Or maybe North Korea. And possibly Canada. That he will do with extreme prejudice. Because he probably thinks Canada is a Muslim majority country.
Now, if only China can increase its nuclear arsenal to 2,500 nukes with the delivery systems to hit any American city bearing a population of 250,000 and above. Maybe that's the only way to bring peace to the world.... containment of the United States through both military and economic strength.
(P.S. Does anyone remember that Hitler was elected by a democracy?)
Under George The Dubya Bush, you folks conquered two countries that weren't even bordering you. Heck, I think Afghanistan and Iraq are in a completely different continent to the Americas.
Under Nobel Peace Prize Winner Barack Obama, you folks crashed, smashed and wrecked (though no invasion or conquest.... what a relief!!!) Libya, Ukraine, and indirectly, Syria.
So who will President Trump, elected by the citizens of the United States of America, set his eye upon?
I'm betting he will invade Iran. Or maybe North Korea. And possibly Canada. That he will do with extreme prejudice. Because he probably thinks Canada is a Muslim majority country.
Now, if only China can increase its nuclear arsenal to 2,500 nukes with the delivery systems to hit any American city bearing a population of 250,000 and above. Maybe that's the only way to bring peace to the world.... containment of the United States through both military and economic strength.
(P.S. Does anyone remember that Hitler was elected by a democracy?)
2
Since the election, I have been made acutely aware of subtle uses of adverbs and impressionistic verbs in news media's reports and 'analyses' of news. "ISIS-affiliated social media GLEEFULLY posted President Trump's executive order", "The president SEEMS to agree that Muslims and non-Muslims can't live together." are the latest examples. Yes, this article can be considered an opinion piece. But it does smack of a style of writings an opposition party in Britain would use.
4
The piece asks: "How do our enemies and rivals feel about the Trump administration so far?" Answer, "Grrrrrreat!"
"The question they should be asking themselves is: How do our enemies and rivals feel about the Trump administration so far?"
regarding isis i'd say trump will end up being too weak to effectively crush them; he just doesn't have the stomach nor would politicians and the public be able to tolerate what's needed to really get rid of them. it would be too "barbaric" and gruesome but the only way to get rid of them is to employ their own tactics x10.
regarding isis i'd say trump will end up being too weak to effectively crush them; he just doesn't have the stomach nor would politicians and the public be able to tolerate what's needed to really get rid of them. it would be too "barbaric" and gruesome but the only way to get rid of them is to employ their own tactics x10.
In one episode of Seinfeld, George Constanza does the opposite of everything that common sense tells him to do and things work out well. This is Trump in a nutshell and so far the opposite has served him well. The more he destroys the more his supporters cheer him on as if governing were a demolition derby.
It will take generations for the country to recover from this.
It will take generations for the country to recover from this.
4
Please explain to me why Hillary, Bernie and Trump all opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership. If you do, I might agree with you. Make China great again? They are doing pretty well, on their own, in claiming the entire South China Sea, building islands and militarizing them.
1
For celebrating the Chinese New Year, President Trump has had the kindness to offer a gift (a major one) to China. China for now on would have total liberty to develop a network of commercial agreements, which China is negotiating right now (under the name of RCEP that deal does not include the US, but both Japan and Australia) at the same time China would help them to develop the major infrastructures of the project One Belt One Road. Thank you Trump dah dah…We thought the flightless bird dodo (Raphus cucullatus) was extinct …NO there is one dodo bird left.
Free trade along with fair trade is beneficial to poor nations as well as the rich ones. Creating a fortress USA will not only esure China's hegemony in Asia but in almost all parts of the world. Bernie was naive and Donnie is appealing to his base while bringing chaos to America.
1
"Screaming loudly to hide insecurity" is a perfect description of Trump's approach to governance. The orders issued so far are a disaster for America's standing in the world.
1
"Bob Corker, John McCain, Marco Rubio and other members of Congress have enough leverage over the administration, in any number of ways, to influence it"
Please!! If we're expecting Republicans to ride to the rescue to save us from this unfolding disaster we'll be waiting a long, long time. Lest we forget, it is Republicans who delivered this national catastrophe upon us. It is the GOP base and congressional leadership in their fact-free cocoon, driven by fear, anger, ignorance and the worst sort of ideological blindness. that sustains this cretin in the White House.
What we are witnessing now is the beginning of the diminishing of America in every conceivable way both at home and abroad. When Trump and the Republican Party have finished with us, unless seriously checked, the world will not recognize us as the country we have been for 250 years. And we will not recognize ourselves.
Please!! If we're expecting Republicans to ride to the rescue to save us from this unfolding disaster we'll be waiting a long, long time. Lest we forget, it is Republicans who delivered this national catastrophe upon us. It is the GOP base and congressional leadership in their fact-free cocoon, driven by fear, anger, ignorance and the worst sort of ideological blindness. that sustains this cretin in the White House.
What we are witnessing now is the beginning of the diminishing of America in every conceivable way both at home and abroad. When Trump and the Republican Party have finished with us, unless seriously checked, the world will not recognize us as the country we have been for 250 years. And we will not recognize ourselves.
4
Hillary was against the Trans Pacific Partnership. Could it be that the patron saint of the NYT was wrong? Persish the thought.
1
Trump supporters may love his every action, but if they have investments and retirement portfolios they make think twice.....why?
The stock market continues to fall as markets suffer Trump-related "uncertainty and jitters."
Fears as to his travel ban continue to mount and directly worry investors. Traders have indigestion from the tensions and uncertainties arising from immigration bans.
The global market fundamentally fears Trump will harm the U.S economy.
The dollar is headed lower. It drops as Trump's immigration ban confuses allies, businesses and even Trump's own cabinet. Notions of his political and economic incompetence increase.
Consumer confidence now falls from a 15 year high.
Investors' clients believe Trump's political capital is not only spent, but in arrears:
“We’re just a few days into this presidency and yet virtually all our clients have expressed concern the Trump White House has spent way too much political capital forging ahead with a wall across Mexico’s border and on defending the order to block U.S. entry of immigrants from several Muslim countries,” noted Bernard Baumohl, chief global economist at The Economic Outlook Group,.
Foreign markets in a tizzy: uncertain of what’s coming down the geopolitical sidewalk with Trump's lack of clarity and impulsiveness.
The Trump agenda is unfolding poorly. $2.00 gas will be a thing of the past.
And, a petition against Trump being granted a state visit to Britain garners 1.6 million signatures.
The stock market continues to fall as markets suffer Trump-related "uncertainty and jitters."
Fears as to his travel ban continue to mount and directly worry investors. Traders have indigestion from the tensions and uncertainties arising from immigration bans.
The global market fundamentally fears Trump will harm the U.S economy.
The dollar is headed lower. It drops as Trump's immigration ban confuses allies, businesses and even Trump's own cabinet. Notions of his political and economic incompetence increase.
Consumer confidence now falls from a 15 year high.
Investors' clients believe Trump's political capital is not only spent, but in arrears:
“We’re just a few days into this presidency and yet virtually all our clients have expressed concern the Trump White House has spent way too much political capital forging ahead with a wall across Mexico’s border and on defending the order to block U.S. entry of immigrants from several Muslim countries,” noted Bernard Baumohl, chief global economist at The Economic Outlook Group,.
Foreign markets in a tizzy: uncertain of what’s coming down the geopolitical sidewalk with Trump's lack of clarity and impulsiveness.
The Trump agenda is unfolding poorly. $2.00 gas will be a thing of the past.
And, a petition against Trump being granted a state visit to Britain garners 1.6 million signatures.
Trump and Bannon understand this as well as Cheney, Rumsfeld and Bush understood Iraq. They impulsively went storming in based on a phony story, and the rest is a tale of 2 trillion dollars, hundreds of thousands killed, maimed, displaced, and a gaping hole that ISIS could walk into.
And what we gained was that Dick Cheney's company made a ton of money. Other than that.....???
So here we go with the same kind of thinking.
And what we gained was that Dick Cheney's company made a ton of money. Other than that.....???
So here we go with the same kind of thinking.
2
For most of the past 2200 years China has been a socioeconomic political educational scientific technological super power. Ruling from the Central/Middle Kingdom with the Mandate of Heaven is China's exceptional ethnic Han national self-image.
For the past 25 years by turning to free market capitalism with "Chinese characteristics" in a term limited one -party collective leadership about 300 million Chinese have become members of the middle class. While China has the nominal #2 national GDP on a per capita basis it ranks 80th near Bulgaria. China spends a third of America on it's military and is not a party to any military defense alliances. China needs natural resources and has economic dealings all over the world. About 18% of the human race is ethnic Han. China's land, water and air is polluted and sickening and killing Chinese in the millions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is the "princeling" son of a Long March veteran has been named a "core leader" on par with Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. America pulling out of the TPP and turning away from Asia works to the advantage of China's "One Road, One Belt" economic plan which along with the Asian Infrastructure Bank will have China diminishing the influence of the "Beautiful Country" as America is known in Mandarin Chinese.
At Davos Xi Jinping delivered the key note address that sounded like Ronald Reagan and Malcolm Friedman. While Trump's acts like a National American Socialist Worker's Party shill.
For the past 25 years by turning to free market capitalism with "Chinese characteristics" in a term limited one -party collective leadership about 300 million Chinese have become members of the middle class. While China has the nominal #2 national GDP on a per capita basis it ranks 80th near Bulgaria. China spends a third of America on it's military and is not a party to any military defense alliances. China needs natural resources and has economic dealings all over the world. About 18% of the human race is ethnic Han. China's land, water and air is polluted and sickening and killing Chinese in the millions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is the "princeling" son of a Long March veteran has been named a "core leader" on par with Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. America pulling out of the TPP and turning away from Asia works to the advantage of China's "One Road, One Belt" economic plan which along with the Asian Infrastructure Bank will have China diminishing the influence of the "Beautiful Country" as America is known in Mandarin Chinese.
At Davos Xi Jinping delivered the key note address that sounded like Ronald Reagan and Malcolm Friedman. While Trump's acts like a National American Socialist Worker's Party shill.
5
The free trade deal was condemned as much by Bernie Sanders and HRC as Trump. No one but President Obama saw the value in the deal, which just goes to show that Obama's intelligence and ability to see the bigger picture will be sorely missed.
Our loss, China's gain.
Our loss, China's gain.
6
Excellent points all. 48 more months of this bull in china shop, (no pun) imbecility and the USA will be reduced to a smoking pile of debt ridden debris and thus time the "carnage" will be Breitbartian real. Thank you Jill Stein, Gary Johnson, Putin and Comey!
2
Well, ISIS hardly needs any help from us in their recruitment efforts. They've been doing very well on their own with that for years. They've even managed to recruit Americans and Europeans to their cause, resulting in mayhem both here and in Europe. And of course they will pounce on this action to support their own claim that the west is anti-Islam - as if they weren't anti-Christian and anti-Semitic themselves, and actually anti-atheist or any other philosophy that doesn't conform with their own. What wonderful non-hypocrites they are!
And then you forebodingly claim that China - a country that has never taken a single refugee from anywhere, and has a state policy that is totally against admitting anyone from these war torn middle eastern countries, will now become more powerful than us? But hasn't your paper been making the same argument, that China will overtake us, albeit for various other reasons, for years?
And BTW, the addict murdering president of the Philippines wants to kick the United States out of there, too. You want to argue that Trump caused our relationship with the Philippines, our longtime friend, to deteriorate over the past few years, too? Here's your chance!
It snowed a lot here last night, too, and now I have a lot of work to do to clear my driveway. Darn that Donald Trump!
And then you forebodingly claim that China - a country that has never taken a single refugee from anywhere, and has a state policy that is totally against admitting anyone from these war torn middle eastern countries, will now become more powerful than us? But hasn't your paper been making the same argument, that China will overtake us, albeit for various other reasons, for years?
And BTW, the addict murdering president of the Philippines wants to kick the United States out of there, too. You want to argue that Trump caused our relationship with the Philippines, our longtime friend, to deteriorate over the past few years, too? Here's your chance!
It snowed a lot here last night, too, and now I have a lot of work to do to clear my driveway. Darn that Donald Trump!
"The big unknown is whether China will change as it rises, to become freer and more respectful of the rule of law..."
This particular form of American CONDESCENSION used to vex the other nations of the world, but with the election of Donald Trump, it has finally become laughable.
Rule of Law? The increasingly obscene amounts of money spent in each US election cycle have thoroughly corrupted every branch of America's government. Is this the kind of "law" and "freedom" we are extolling?
And please, no lectures about Human Rights. In Trump and Bannon's America: black voters will be suppressed, women will be denied their reproductive rights, and non-Christians and LGBT Americans will be legally discriminated against by their own government.
The sooner America gets over the evangelical conviction of its own "God-given" exceptionalism, the better. That kind of conviction is dangerous. It results in "leaders" like Trump and, as Germany and Japan would attest, often ends in war.
This particular form of American CONDESCENSION used to vex the other nations of the world, but with the election of Donald Trump, it has finally become laughable.
Rule of Law? The increasingly obscene amounts of money spent in each US election cycle have thoroughly corrupted every branch of America's government. Is this the kind of "law" and "freedom" we are extolling?
And please, no lectures about Human Rights. In Trump and Bannon's America: black voters will be suppressed, women will be denied their reproductive rights, and non-Christians and LGBT Americans will be legally discriminated against by their own government.
The sooner America gets over the evangelical conviction of its own "God-given" exceptionalism, the better. That kind of conviction is dangerous. It results in "leaders" like Trump and, as Germany and Japan would attest, often ends in war.
8
As much as I have railed against cheap Chinese products, for years on end, I know that a trade war with China, or Mexico, will probably not end well for us. There are some good Chinese products. We all know that. We need BALANCE. Balance will include many new small American companies, making things here in the US, but also exporting them. They will have to be the best quality at the best prices.
1
I'd like to take this moment to hail our new Chinese overlords who will soon become the only superpower left on this planet.
If Trump continues down this road, we will have no friends, allies, or trading partners save for Russia. His punitive, rash, and unhinged policy decisions will slow erode America's hegemony (I'm kind of ok with that). The rest of the world will finally admit that the US has been nothing but a loud mouthed know-it-all who tramples around the world declaring "we're number 1!" and that they're better off without us.
The longer Trump is in office the more we'll look like autocratic and corrupt China. So if I had to choose between China or Trump's America, the former isn't looking so bad.
If Trump continues down this road, we will have no friends, allies, or trading partners save for Russia. His punitive, rash, and unhinged policy decisions will slow erode America's hegemony (I'm kind of ok with that). The rest of the world will finally admit that the US has been nothing but a loud mouthed know-it-all who tramples around the world declaring "we're number 1!" and that they're better off without us.
The longer Trump is in office the more we'll look like autocratic and corrupt China. So if I had to choose between China or Trump's America, the former isn't looking so bad.
2
When asked who the biggest threat to a successful presidency was, HRC truthfully answered "the republican party." For this and many other "fake" offenses, she was pilloried by the press- both right-wing and mainstream-- including the NYT. For that and more fake stuff, enough voters stayed home or tossed their votes into the ashbin of history, and trump "won" the election. HRC was right all along-- the GOP is the enemy of the USA. Leonhardt's pleas to "reasonable" GOP leaders is a waste of column inches. They are going along to preserve power and to undo what We the People have had. If they had wanted to exert their "leverage," they would have encouraged republicans to vote for HRC, who in truth, is a mid-center republican who would have conserved what we have, in the model of republicans long gone like Bob Dole, Nelson Rockefeller, George Bush the first. By their acquiescence with a radical candidate, today's so-called reasonable republican leaders have sealed the deal of destruction.
8
The GOP is nothing but a bunch of cruel, self-interest thugs who wrap themselves in the flag while their friends are leaving your house out the back door with all of your valuables. This is what years of Sports, Cheetos and reality TV has done to the American brain, all Mush. Welcome dumb and DUMBER, Trump and Pence.
4
So we're counting on some pretty accomplished losers. Great. Can we turn to no one else?
2
McCain should use this opportunity to salvage whatever reputation he has left after his bringing Sarah Palin to the fore. That dumbing down of Presidential politics was a waystation on the road to Trump. If he could assert some muscle now he could dig his reputation out of that hole.
Read between the lines. See how many of these same arguments can be made for Russia. Now Putin can be seen as "leading" in his illiberal methods, his attack on " ISIS" (read: incursions/disruptions to influence in the Middle East, muffling of Muslim dissent internal to Russia). Now Trump is publicly attacking German currency policy, to create a rift across the Eurozone?
Almost nothing Trump has said and done so far in his presidency has benefitted the USA as much as it does Russia. He's acting like a puppet for the Russians. I can't imagine why...
Almost nothing Trump has said and done so far in his presidency has benefitted the USA as much as it does Russia. He's acting like a puppet for the Russians. I can't imagine why...
Xenophobia is synonymous for insecurity. If America believes its own hype, shouldn't we show confidence and strength, and a willingness to compete with immigrants and across borders to prove our supremacy? Hiding behind a border wall and immigrant ban is like a kid lying about knowing karate to avoid getting beaten up on the playground. When did we become so insecure?
But what's worse: where is the leadership from the Senate on all this? Mitch McConnell's home state of Kentucky is home to over 6,400 refugees, including 1,100 from Iraq alone. What about Rubio and McCain, both humiliated by their party's standard bearer? Where are the free trade senators in all this? Jeff Flake? Rob Portman? Will they follow their principles, or bow to their party's new "leader"?
But what's worse: where is the leadership from the Senate on all this? Mitch McConnell's home state of Kentucky is home to over 6,400 refugees, including 1,100 from Iraq alone. What about Rubio and McCain, both humiliated by their party's standard bearer? Where are the free trade senators in all this? Jeff Flake? Rob Portman? Will they follow their principles, or bow to their party's new "leader"?
So...when does the Republican Congress do the right thing and remove this maniac? Soon, I hope!
I think that's one bipartisan bill that all can agree on.
I think that's one bipartisan bill that all can agree on.
2
Given that Clinton also opposed the TPP during the campaign, it's little surprise that it was going down. The fact that it was Trump who disowned it now allows Mr. Leonhardt and the NYT commentariat to fall in love with it again as another hammer on the president.
Of course it's entirely possible Clinton would have pivoted back to support for the TPP had she been elected. We won't ever know. But it's petty clear that getting the treaty ratified would have been a tough job.
Of course it's entirely possible Clinton would have pivoted back to support for the TPP had she been elected. We won't ever know. But it's petty clear that getting the treaty ratified would have been a tough job.
2
CBS nightly news last night had the integrity and forthrightness to report that more Americans favored the ban than opposed it. David claims it is a drop in the bucket. Well, it is only the beginning. We need a broad pause in immigration, as it makes no sense to allow most anyone to enter this country, given the wave of terrorism, until we have developed a reliable vetting system.
This is some very insecure little stick activity.
And still, basically, campaign talk. Terrifying, terrifying campaign talk that is now affecting policy. Ridiculously small minded.
Imagine, the Pacific Rim preferring China's proposals and practices over the US's.? Making America Great Again. Yeah right.
And still, basically, campaign talk. Terrifying, terrifying campaign talk that is now affecting policy. Ridiculously small minded.
Imagine, the Pacific Rim preferring China's proposals and practices over the US's.? Making America Great Again. Yeah right.
1
It took Bush over 6 years to ruin our country. I imagine Trump will best that by about 5 years. Our economy, sense of safeness, harmony will be gone because a bunch of gullible fools didnt want to elect a woman, who gave her whole adult life to making things better for people, used a personal email server. Wake up American. We cannot survive with another republican loser as president after this one goes away.
5
I hold little hope that the list of 'advocates' of a strong America, and others such as Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell will move with any stridency to rebuff the actions of President Trump. There is too much self-interest in that collective that will be at risk should they decide to challenge Mr. Trump. Consciences have taken a back-seat in our nation's long-standing quest for good government and Global trust. Souls are on the market for sale. Trump needs no one and if he did, he has a ready and supportive audience in Bannon, Priebus, Conway, Pence, and Spicer. Whither the United States of America...unless "we the people" continue to speak loudly and boldly to the World that we do not, nor will we, subscribe or ascribe to the antics of the current President of the United States of America!
3
This action by DJT, like just about every other one, has really nothing to do with how to "Make America Great Again". This man, and those who he has surrounded himself with (thinking they are adoring admirers) seems to have little understanding of anything beyond his psychological "Mirror, Mirror". Almost hourly, he uses his mighty pen, not only for photo ops, but to feel that he is leading the most powerful nation on earth...ergo, sees himself as the driver of that nation. Unfortunately, he never had lessons or practice in the operation thereof, and wrecks it every couple of minutes. This is not TV where another vehicle can take its place, and it is OUR vehicle he is wrecking. I wish he had bought an island somewhere with his supposed billions and invited his family an closes friends (tho I really doubt he has many of them) into permanent exile with him. Oh, forgot...that island should have no phones and no WiFi! Then maybe the rest of us could sleep at night! I really feel sorry for those who jumped on his campaign clown train and spent their votes on him. They are the ones who were really duped, tho some still don't seem to understand it. Our great nation needs to up its educational game so that we understand economics, politics and government better. But the GOP isn't going to pass any legislation that will allow that to happen any time soon. 2018 is closer than we think....get active America. It is YOUR home and safety at risk!
1
Trump and Bannon are only beginning. The hate groups are biding their time before they, put on brown shirts and jack boots and go full throttle against Asians, Blacks, Latinos and gays. The democrats in congress seem to be rewriting the Martin Niemoller's argument against apathy, "First they came for the Muslims, and we said, Not this time." (The Atlantic, 1/29/17)
3
Trump & his Republican cohorts are delighted to wipe away Obama’s legacy, & anything that is in anyway connected to Obama. such as the Trans Pacific Trade Agreement, that was designed to limit Chin’s aggression in the South China Sea, China still occupies Mongolia which is forgotten by most of the world, as they are too busy maligning Israel about the Palestinians.
China is a dictatorial agressive country with Nuclear weapons & 2 billion people, & make no mistake about it a threat to our existence. We need a coalition of allies along the pacific rim to forestall Chinese aggression,Trump is weakening this alignment by discarding this trade deal.Trumps appointment of another conservative to the Supreme Court will do away with Roe Vs Wade , and Progressive programs like Planed Parenthood will fall by the wayside.If we lose the support of countries like the Philippines which is moving closer to China, we will lose control of the Pacific Rim. The Prime Minister of the Philippines just bucked the powerful Philippine Catholic Church & permitted free birth control to the poor in his country , taking a page from Planned Parenthood. Trump & a Conservative Supreme Court will abolish every progressive advancement Obama made.Why would any progressive nation want to align themselves with a Trump reactionary theocratic government.
China is a dictatorial agressive country with Nuclear weapons & 2 billion people, & make no mistake about it a threat to our existence. We need a coalition of allies along the pacific rim to forestall Chinese aggression,Trump is weakening this alignment by discarding this trade deal.Trumps appointment of another conservative to the Supreme Court will do away with Roe Vs Wade , and Progressive programs like Planed Parenthood will fall by the wayside.If we lose the support of countries like the Philippines which is moving closer to China, we will lose control of the Pacific Rim. The Prime Minister of the Philippines just bucked the powerful Philippine Catholic Church & permitted free birth control to the poor in his country , taking a page from Planned Parenthood. Trump & a Conservative Supreme Court will abolish every progressive advancement Obama made.Why would any progressive nation want to align themselves with a Trump reactionary theocratic government.
3
Donald Trumps election has caused a champagne shortage in Moscow.
4
The subtility of TPP was lost on DT and his cheering throngs. Shout loudly and carry a twig - that is the new foreign policy. China, and let us not forget Putin the puppet master are the beneficiaries while a diminished US and frayed western alliances are the losers. All this in the first ten days, we have much to look forward to in the remaining 1451 days.
1
"The big unknown is whether China will change as it rises, to become freer and more respectful of the rule of law . . ."
What you meant to write was: "The big unknown is whether China will continue to intimidate its tiny neighbors while pouring scorn all over the rule of law." (But, actually, that is known, and they will continue)
China built artificial islands in other countries' waters, and Obama just sat on his hands and watched. As everyone knows, the only way to make a bully think about changing his behavior is to punch him in the nose. Bush and Obama were too timid to do that; Trump is not.
What you meant to write was: "The big unknown is whether China will continue to intimidate its tiny neighbors while pouring scorn all over the rule of law." (But, actually, that is known, and they will continue)
China built artificial islands in other countries' waters, and Obama just sat on his hands and watched. As everyone knows, the only way to make a bully think about changing his behavior is to punch him in the nose. Bush and Obama were too timid to do that; Trump is not.
1
Terrorists sow fear and chaos.
So does Donald Trump.
So does Donald Trump.
1
The American worker has been getting the short end of the stick for 40 years. Time for a drastic change--an abnormal presidency.
7
All this ignorance in one week---understand now how Rome fell from within.
37
There is only one nation powerful enough to bring America down and that is America. President Trump may be the greatest danger the US has ever faced.
Over the last eight years I heard considerable bemoaning to the tune of "my job was shipped overseas!" - or when a domestic terrorist attack happened, it was "how did these people get into the US?" But, more importantly, I heard, "Why doesn't somebody in Washington do SOMETHING about this?" Be careful what you wish for.
2
Let's face it. Not only did a majority of Americans vote against trump. A majority of Americans now hate him and his henchmen. A dangerous brew is fermenting.
Trump and ISIS play the same game. It's called expand your base and political influence through provocation. Is ISIS and related terrorism a systemic threat to the most powerful military and economic force on the planet? Only in their dreams. Do Trump's provocative actions provide recruitment opportunities for ISIS and a consequent powerful reason for ISIS to engage in further tragic attacks with the deliberate aim of inciting even more similar ill-advised counter-responses? Yes! Trump is not defending America any more than George W. Bush defended America by squandering lives and treasure with the 2003 invasion of Iraq. What then is the method to this madness? I believe that he's deliberately stoking the maximum amount of confusion under cover of which he can promote the continued and ongoing life of the military industrial complex. The war on terror became a stand-in for the cold war following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. How do you justify massive deficits and related sacred cow military spending without conjuring up a significant enemy? This will be financed by running up budget deficits paid for through the gutting of social security, medicare, public education, and the other gains of the American people. Does anybody have an alternate explanation?
1
Of course every one of America's enemies from Putin to ISIS and all sorts of less well-known terrorists around the world are delighted to watch Trump be Trump. He has done more in one week to destroy America's reputation and strength around the world than anything since G.W. Bush began the Iraq war. Nowhere is it written on golden tablets that the American democracy will survive the election of this psychopathic intellectually challenged President.
America - the land of the free and the home of the brave....
America - a democracy governed by honorable men and women who put aside their personal interests for the good of the country.
America - governed by the rule of law
America - Where art thou ?
America - a democracy governed by honorable men and women who put aside their personal interests for the good of the country.
America - governed by the rule of law
America - Where art thou ?
Trump's administrative style will obviously be the same as his business style. Just bully your competitors into your way of thinking. Forget about subtlety. That won't work when he tries to bully independent nations into acting against their best interests. By the time he is through, we won't have any international allies left.
no argument here except for the TPP criticism in the sense that both sanders and clinton said they'd do the same thing.
2
Wait until the Chinese "trap" one of our Navy ships inside their tightening group of "islands".
Of course they won't fire on it...but they will impede it's progress, surround it and watch "Small-Hands" trump throw a tantrum in front of the world.
Then they will release the ship with a stern warning to "never trespass again".
THEN what will we do......?
Of course they won't fire on it...but they will impede it's progress, surround it and watch "Small-Hands" trump throw a tantrum in front of the world.
Then they will release the ship with a stern warning to "never trespass again".
THEN what will we do......?
You make a good point there about Trump's reference to "radical Muslims". If he had merely said throughout his campaign that he intended to root out ISIS and focus on wherever members were most prevalent he might be on firmer footing now. Same people, just difference frame of reference.
And I agree the extreme vetting should carry to all countries. To do otherwise is similar to allowing certain people to get minimal checks at airports while others are removing their shoes in security. It's a new day.
However I don't share your concern about China. With hundreds of billions of dollars in trade at stake, both sides will find a way to make it work eventually, with a lot of public bluster but a greater emphasis on quiet back-door deal making.
And I agree the extreme vetting should carry to all countries. To do otherwise is similar to allowing certain people to get minimal checks at airports while others are removing their shoes in security. It's a new day.
However I don't share your concern about China. With hundreds of billions of dollars in trade at stake, both sides will find a way to make it work eventually, with a lot of public bluster but a greater emphasis on quiet back-door deal making.
"Anti-Teddy Rooseveltism" nails it. TR was an Army volunteer, Trump a draft-dodger. TR loved the outdoors and fought to preserve it, Trump hides in his tower or the White House and wants to sell off public lands. TR was a bold internationalist, Trump a fearful retreater. Trump twitters loudly and carries a little chip on his shoulders.
2
I feel that Trump has simply put a giant target on the backs of our citizens abroad who would travel/work in these countries on the banned list.
Sadly this column is lost on Trump (cronies) and GOP house and senate members.
They see the US as a cave, a dark place where you can hide for dangerous strangers; a cave where the Chief-In-Cave- is allowed to terrorise every other cave-member.
A cave with a big stone for its entrance.
The Chief-In- Cave- happens to hate the Europeans too (no, not the British, they are already cronies), but the real Europeans so to speak. That causes a lot of anxiety in the European world too.
So, I suppose its best for the the world when the stone remains for the entrance of your cave untill you "cavers" have chosen a worthy Chief-who-thinks-Outside-the-Cave.
They see the US as a cave, a dark place where you can hide for dangerous strangers; a cave where the Chief-In-Cave- is allowed to terrorise every other cave-member.
A cave with a big stone for its entrance.
The Chief-In- Cave- happens to hate the Europeans too (no, not the British, they are already cronies), but the real Europeans so to speak. That causes a lot of anxiety in the European world too.
So, I suppose its best for the the world when the stone remains for the entrance of your cave untill you "cavers" have chosen a worthy Chief-who-thinks-Outside-the-Cave.
1
I'm curious where you think those "gray zones" where Muslims, Christians and Jews live peacefully side by side are located. I can't find mine on the map.
But even if I accept your premise, it is the press that is giving ISIS its fodder. Trump's temporary ban from seven countries until vetting procedures can be improved is not a "ban." Calling it so suggests you are less worried about being an ISIS propaganda tool and more worried about being a liberal one.
But even if I accept your premise, it is the press that is giving ISIS its fodder. Trump's temporary ban from seven countries until vetting procedures can be improved is not a "ban." Calling it so suggests you are less worried about being an ISIS propaganda tool and more worried about being a liberal one.
2
I have 1 question for Comrade Trump, where is the strategery?
1
Long live "United States of China." Really??? Mr Trump.
1
Just wait. Wait until he has to station Marines around his foreign properties to protect them from the backlash. Oh, yeah, we're going to see some really new stuff out there - soon, too.
1
1) A majority of Americans AGREE with the TEMPORARY suspension of immigration.
2) There NO war on Terror unless you mean TERRA-Firma. Terrorism isn't the reason, it's the EXCUSE.
3) Take care of the NATIVES HERE before the NATIVES THERE.
4) TRUMP PROMISED THIS! During his campaign.
5) I don't care what the establishment elites want. In fact, I want just the opposite, because...
2) There NO war on Terror unless you mean TERRA-Firma. Terrorism isn't the reason, it's the EXCUSE.
3) Take care of the NATIVES HERE before the NATIVES THERE.
4) TRUMP PROMISED THIS! During his campaign.
5) I don't care what the establishment elites want. In fact, I want just the opposite, because...
1
I feel like Trump is leading us into a dangerous confrontation, kind of like Riff from West Side Story. If Riff had insulted and belittled all of his fellow Jets right before the big fight.
1
The TPP was never about trade or economics, it was the "anyone but China" club which served to exclude China from trade deals in its own backyard. It was a clever containment strategy put together by the Obama administration to halt China's rising influence. Trump probably realizes this but cannot resist passing on the populist opportunity. He better have his triple A game on when he takes on China. Regardless, Xi Jinping will eat him for breakfast in Weltpolitik. It's the Art of the Deal vs. The Art of War.
1
Frankly, it is shocking to hear a jurist in this day and age still claiming the Constitution is a stagnant document from 19th Century. I weep for our children if your view remains dominant on the Supreme Court. Any appointee with your views should not even be considered and given a vote leg alone confirmed.
1
Yes, but what do you intend to do regarding the Appalachian base? Are you going to train them for other jobs? Move them to California to pick fruit? How soon we forget what got it here. We want the TPP and Pennsylvania be damned, is not a solution.
The article is spot on. Trump and previous U.S. Presidents have inexplicably protected Saudi Arabia that has contributed more to Islamic terrorism than the rest of the world combined.
I can speak personally about the result of this hypocrisy: As the head of a major European bank in Iran during the President Khatemi years (1997-2005) I watched with pleasure and pride as foreign banks and corporations flooded back into the country after 25 years of absence. Every official I spoke with spoke optimistically about a new phase in U.S.-Iran relations. Then Bush Jr. came up with his 'Axis of Evil' nonsense, the U.S. media (including the NYT) went into anti-Iran overdrive and the result was Ahmadinejad.
We Iranians face a similar danger today following the belated progress made in the twilight of the Obama Administration.
You want to know who is breeding, financing and strengthening Islamic terrorism? Look no further than Saudi Arabia and Israel, two tails wagging the U.S. and getting away with it.
I can speak personally about the result of this hypocrisy: As the head of a major European bank in Iran during the President Khatemi years (1997-2005) I watched with pleasure and pride as foreign banks and corporations flooded back into the country after 25 years of absence. Every official I spoke with spoke optimistically about a new phase in U.S.-Iran relations. Then Bush Jr. came up with his 'Axis of Evil' nonsense, the U.S. media (including the NYT) went into anti-Iran overdrive and the result was Ahmadinejad.
We Iranians face a similar danger today following the belated progress made in the twilight of the Obama Administration.
You want to know who is breeding, financing and strengthening Islamic terrorism? Look no further than Saudi Arabia and Israel, two tails wagging the U.S. and getting away with it.
3
Trump is following a well worn path, using American tax dollars to advantage our adversaries. We funded the mujahideen during the Russian occupation of Afghanistan, we made Iraq a target rich environment and outstanding training site for Al Qeada after 9/11, and now we're inviting China to occupy he vacuum we will create in the Pacific.
Well, yes, Mr. Leonhardt, our foreign rivals and enemies can rejoice at Trump's ongoing follies. But Pogo was right. We have met the enemy and he is us, specifically those of us who have drunk the Falwellian, Limbaughian, Murdochian & Ailesian, and now Trumpian, koolaid.
The vital issue that some national news organization needs to start seriously covering is how and why it is that the majority of those who voted for the Donald STILL do not see the problem. In fact, many are thrilled with their hero's tweets and deeds.
It is our well-fooled citizenry, not Trump or China or ISIS, who will destroy our nation, and more quickly than any exterior enemy might dare to dream.
The vital issue that some national news organization needs to start seriously covering is how and why it is that the majority of those who voted for the Donald STILL do not see the problem. In fact, many are thrilled with their hero's tweets and deeds.
It is our well-fooled citizenry, not Trump or China or ISIS, who will destroy our nation, and more quickly than any exterior enemy might dare to dream.
It isn't surprising that a self-worshiping fool is a traitor to his own country, selling it out to Russia, China, and ISIS. He thinks of himself as some sort of SUPERMAN and if there aren't enough arch nemeses that he can engage to warrant love from his adoring fans, he'll create them . . . An abyss over which only he can lead the Chosen Ones.
Steve Bannon, through TRUMP as SUPERMAN, is channeling Nietzsche:
"Man is a rope stretched between the animal and the Superman--a rope over an abyss. A dangerous crossing, a dangerous wayfaring, a dangerous looking-back, a dangerous trembling and halting. What is great in man is that he is a bridge and not a goal . . . I love all who are like heavy drops falling one by one out of the dark cloud that lowers over man: they herald the coming of the lightning, and succumb as heralds. Lo, I am a herald of the lightning, and a heavy drop out of the cloud: the lightning, however, is the SUPERMAN."
Lo, my friends, be warned for the lightning has come . . . TRUMP may not be SUPERMAN, but woe be unto us, he really believes he is.
Steve Bannon, through TRUMP as SUPERMAN, is channeling Nietzsche:
"Man is a rope stretched between the animal and the Superman--a rope over an abyss. A dangerous crossing, a dangerous wayfaring, a dangerous looking-back, a dangerous trembling and halting. What is great in man is that he is a bridge and not a goal . . . I love all who are like heavy drops falling one by one out of the dark cloud that lowers over man: they herald the coming of the lightning, and succumb as heralds. Lo, I am a herald of the lightning, and a heavy drop out of the cloud: the lightning, however, is the SUPERMAN."
Lo, my friends, be warned for the lightning has come . . . TRUMP may not be SUPERMAN, but woe be unto us, he really believes he is.
3
Running the government like a business? Sadly his business mistakes approval from his baseless voters for well thought out policy.
1
Walls, trade barriers, bans, insults: for the 1st time in my life, I see the USofA behaving as a frightened, defensive, elderly nation. World leadership gone, probably for good. For a Frenchman, this should be good news; in this context, it is definitely not.
I believe Trump is taking a number of forceful measures to placate his base so they will be more passive in the face of the health care cuts he is going to
Impose on them. It's called paving the way or putting up a (very dangerous)
smokescreen.
Impose on them. It's called paving the way or putting up a (very dangerous)
smokescreen.
1
Make America Great Again
Should change the name of the country to North America, following Donald Trump's ideal model of a country, North Korea. Yes, that's the direction this country is going.
This country is already bankrupted morally, if not literally.
Should change the name of the country to North America, following Donald Trump's ideal model of a country, North Korea. Yes, that's the direction this country is going.
This country is already bankrupted morally, if not literally.
Well we do know he owes the bank of china 600 mil, how many billions did Putin loan him. Maybe this isn't imcompatence but careful planning by our enemies. They play chess, we always play checkers. The rise of china is definite, but who will do the innovating?
1
Caligula - King John - Mussolini - Kim Jong-in: all come to mind when viewing the odd, but definitely sinister, antics of Mr. Trump.
So far he's demonstrated himself to be an egotistical, not-very-bright, sack full of bombast. He's certainly waked up the American left, and they want concrete opposition from their elected representatives.
The ship of state in just one and a half weeks is now seriously off-course. It's only a matter of time before the first iceberg appears.
As for our enemies, they'll most likely stay quiet. Why should they interrupt us when we are busy destroying ourselves?
So far he's demonstrated himself to be an egotistical, not-very-bright, sack full of bombast. He's certainly waked up the American left, and they want concrete opposition from their elected representatives.
The ship of state in just one and a half weeks is now seriously off-course. It's only a matter of time before the first iceberg appears.
As for our enemies, they'll most likely stay quiet. Why should they interrupt us when we are busy destroying ourselves?
Marco Rubio as a bulwark against ... anything is a joke.
2
Powerful nations do not die of natural causes. They commit suicide as many historians like to remind us.
At this juncture, Donald Trump is taking a dangerous path that weakens America's moral and military stature in the world.
Trump humiliates long time friend/ally countries and cozies up to to a military adversary, Russia.
In just a few days, Donald Trump and associates are achieving the unthinkable. That is, to change the perception of a trusted America into an unpredictable one. The consequences will be felt sooner than later.
At this juncture, Donald Trump is taking a dangerous path that weakens America's moral and military stature in the world.
Trump humiliates long time friend/ally countries and cozies up to to a military adversary, Russia.
In just a few days, Donald Trump and associates are achieving the unthinkable. That is, to change the perception of a trusted America into an unpredictable one. The consequences will be felt sooner than later.
10
In defense of the liberal anti TPP focus, you fail to mention the actual flaws that were protested: done in secrecy, written by corporations, little is any time for review, containing legally binding regulations that would allow businesses to sue any state or municipality who had regulations perceived as being detrimental to the countries and businesses in the TPP, as we have recently seen TransCanada do for the loss of the Keystone XL pipeline, to the tune of $15 billion, that would, of course, be paid for by taxpayers. Litigation would also be resolved behind closed doors by 4 corporate-friendly folk whose decisions would be binding with no right to appeal. Our own local environmental and economic expectations could be trampled, which was my main objection to the TPP, as well as the fact that China was excluded, which seemed very shortsighted and apparently designed to isolate them.
3
"Bob Corker, John McCain, Marco Rubio and other members of Congress" mentioned here are part of the War Party, and they lost this election, even if they are Republicans in name. No, they do not have influence in this.
Their wars are the problem, and their voices call only for more failure. They lost because of that.
Beijing and Moscow were pointing to American hypocrisy long before Trump, and rightly so. If Trump is worse, it does not change the argument they've made for years. Just see anything that they have said on the subject for the last 20 years.
Their wars are the problem, and their voices call only for more failure. They lost because of that.
Beijing and Moscow were pointing to American hypocrisy long before Trump, and rightly so. If Trump is worse, it does not change the argument they've made for years. Just see anything that they have said on the subject for the last 20 years.
9
Obama failed to convince anyone in the region that the US is not making war on Islam.
It did not need Trump to open their eyes in revelation of that. It was the bombs, the terrorists, the killing, the utter destruction of their countries in regime change bids turned into what too many here long ago called a Civilization War against backward Muslims. They heard that, loud and clear, a long time ago.
It did not need Trump to open their eyes in revelation of that. It was the bombs, the terrorists, the killing, the utter destruction of their countries in regime change bids turned into what too many here long ago called a Civilization War against backward Muslims. They heard that, loud and clear, a long time ago.
8
The entire world is grateful that China is ready to take over leadership in matters of trade and development. Who needs a petulant and inconsistent partner that insists on being a bully. Rome declined, so too in turn will the US, and not a moment too soon.
4
Rivalry helps us. We behaved better when challenged than when a sole superpower. Absolute power corrupted us absolutely, and we will benefit from the challenge. We'll win it too, because China will handicap itself by just acting like China, but in the process we'll be forced to act more like the America we value than the Halliburton we've allowed.
6
I work for a large bank based in the UK and Asia. The US is becoming less and less a source of revenue, and the biggest source of expenses, salaries, etc that are too high and must be cut.
Our new presidents policies will help accelerate the US receding further and further back in the worlds rear view mirror.
Our new presidents policies will help accelerate the US receding further and further back in the worlds rear view mirror.
8
Although I am a liberal/progressive Democrat I dissent in looking favorably upon the defunct TPP. Progress will always include disruption of jobs but that will happen anyway. I generally regard trade alliances as being disparately positive to all the participants, some will gain more than others but overall all are likely to benefit. The crux of the matter is that our government needs to step up to the plate and help the people whose lives are disrupted. The US spends very little to help these people. But that was longer than a tweet...
4
trump knows the price of everything, but he has no clue about the value of anything. I hope he will pay for the destruction he is creating. A narcissist surrounded by little yes men and women..he is creating danger for America and is not acting in the best interest of our country. We need checks and balances before he completely destroys our credibility, not to mention our safety. Please remove this sad excuse of a human being from office. We deserve better, and we cannot afford him. We will be paying for a long long time.
3
We are on the path of becoming a second tier country eclipsed by China. In one week we have lost the moral high ground and have begun to close doors instead of opening them. The result is that China will go around us,seek other relationships and leave us in the dust.
5
It has been much more than just the last week, and many more than just Trump doing it.
America has been in a spiral down since the Iraq War lies. We've never pulled back.
America has been in a spiral down since the Iraq War lies. We've never pulled back.
7
If "Make China Great Again" would bring back the 4 million people the U.S. has bombed into oblivion I would say yes. We have not been a shining example of the lone super-power. And why are we sticking our nose into the other side of the world---do we want China interfering in our hemisphere? It is the 1% that have a problem with the 1% of other countries. The 99% of all countries, all want the same thing.
5
I sincerely find it very hard to understand why Americans, its allies and enemies are shocked. They watched the republican campaigns unfold, they watched the debates against a stable Clinton, they heard Trump shout his campaign promises endlessly. He is keeping to his Word and suddenly we have protests. I think the earlier the Republicans begin to work the rule book to find a loop hole for impeachment, the better because Trump only just started. Mind you the president of the United States is extremely powerful under the US Constitution. Welcome to Medieval America Guys!
10
After the Mexican economy is fully trashed then it will not be difficult for China to persuade its soon to be best friends in Mexico City that a military base on the Baja would be a wonderful idea, say maybe 50 miles down the road from San Diego.
4
"...the White House is screaming loudly to hide insecurity about the strength of its stick."
Or its hands. My theory, though, is that the chaos and dysfunction, while partially stemming from incompetence and insanity, serves the purpose of distracting us from master pickpocket Donald Trump's (or rather Steve Bannon's) soft coup - pushing the limits of executive power, testing the loyalty of different areas of government, preparing for yet more egregious moves. And with the gutless and compliant Republicans in power everywhere there may not be a way out of this.
Or its hands. My theory, though, is that the chaos and dysfunction, while partially stemming from incompetence and insanity, serves the purpose of distracting us from master pickpocket Donald Trump's (or rather Steve Bannon's) soft coup - pushing the limits of executive power, testing the loyalty of different areas of government, preparing for yet more egregious moves. And with the gutless and compliant Republicans in power everywhere there may not be a way out of this.
14
Trump is an isolationist, Bannon is worse, an Archie Bunker with power. We are indeed giving the initiative to China to be the world's leader, not just in trade, but in international relations. Under Trump we may end up with the world's foremost military and we may well need it.
7
There once was a bunch of nincompoops
New to working with large complex groups
That quickly dropped the ball
Yet thus far had the gall
To refuse even so to say oops
New to working with large complex groups
That quickly dropped the ball
Yet thus far had the gall
To refuse even so to say oops
8
Exactly my thoughts a few days ago. Whatever he is doing, will make Asia great again (particularly China) which is not in any American's interest. But, my view is that when he attends international summits and does not feel wanted or important, he will change his course. But may be too late at that time.
2
Quite the contrary. When other countries treat President Trump as the fool he is, he will turn on them, just as he has against Mexico. It will always be someone else who is at fault. He will go down in the sinking ship before he admits he, the captain, was responsible for plowing into the iceberg.
The picture accompanying your essay says everything. Does anyone remember Obama having a photo-op each time he signed an executive order? Of course not. However, for Trump, every time he does so he has this little show where he lines up his sycophants behind him, signs (with his bizarre, hyper-aggressive signature that contains not one curve), and turns it for the cameras. Trump's need for attention, good or bad, is all consuming. As they say, the only bad publicity is no publicity.
18
"Does anyone remember Obama having a photo-op each time he signed an executive order?"
Yes. And Bush before him. Signing ceremonies for executive orders have followed much the same pattern as for laws. It is purely political, a campaign device. Trump did not invent it or even change it.
Yes. And Bush before him. Signing ceremonies for executive orders have followed much the same pattern as for laws. It is purely political, a campaign device. Trump did not invent it or even change it.
2
I'm the same age as the president and if I was acting the same way trump has acted in the last ten days my children would have me evaluated for dementia faster than one could say "make America great again.
29
Throughout most recorded history China has been the most powerful nation in the world (the Roman empire at its greatest power ruled over fewer people than Han China), although there have been few times When China was expansionist. These usually occurred after China recovered from a partial eclipse, After the humiliations between the Opium Wars and the Communist revolution, China is reclaiming its historic role. The United States, which has usually had good relations with China, should do try to make sure China acts as a responsible world power.
25
". . . China is reclaiming its historic role."
They will have to earn it.
They will have to earn it.
1
Trump has in 12 days ceded to China: (1) Oil - which would be boosted with Keystone pipeline completion as TransCanada has testified before Canadian Parliament nearly the entire product will be transhipped from Louisiana refineries to Asian markets and (2) Asian dominance, as withdrawal from TPP gives China a far greater advantage now that the USA is taking its toys from the sandbox. President Obama intelligently knew the opposite positions in both cases were putting America First.
58
In opting out of the Trans Pacific Partnership, Trump has handed China the Ace in the deck. He's made China Great again! This comes of selecting people with tons of money who lack international trade & policy experience. Now billionaires hold appointments meant for experts in the field; they will handle America's economic, humanitarian,and foreign affairs. Instead of making America great again-Trump has weaken our stance in the world with his many pronged executive actions that reveal a complete lack of intellectual economic, and humanitarian thought. He has treated American affairs like a third rate reality show, as he holds up executive orders to show his signature!
49
The American election resoundingly rejected the TPP. Even Hillary campaigned against it, even after having called it the gold standard.
Defending it now tells us two things: voters were right not to believe Hillary on that, and partisans will attack Trump even for doing the right thing with which they agreed before the election.
Defending it now tells us two things: voters were right not to believe Hillary on that, and partisans will attack Trump even for doing the right thing with which they agreed before the election.
3
So we informed here that there's "silliness" in the opposition to TPP from right and left, and the link is to the story of an Obama heckler. True, heckling may be silly, but many of us are still waiting for David Leonhardt, and NYT, to answer actual objections made to these investors rights agreements.
Also note that "American-style rules on intellectual property, pollution and labor unions" have not only created unhappiness in other countries, but this one as well.
Once it's understood that "intellectual property" is a euphemism for high drug prices and government protection of monopolies like Microsoft, it's easy to see why "American-style" rules might be objectionable.
How strange, that he money these policies cost consumers all over the world are never factored into the assessment of the supposed joys and economic wonders delivered by these agreements.
Also note that "American-style rules on intellectual property, pollution and labor unions" have not only created unhappiness in other countries, but this one as well.
Once it's understood that "intellectual property" is a euphemism for high drug prices and government protection of monopolies like Microsoft, it's easy to see why "American-style" rules might be objectionable.
How strange, that he money these policies cost consumers all over the world are never factored into the assessment of the supposed joys and economic wonders delivered by these agreements.
I love this Trump character as he proceeds to break the White House China and stemware without pause or care. It occurs often in America History when someone, an outlier, is elected President and mayhem and chaos ensues. Young people are usually the greatest benefactors as they get to see the world and learn to eat "meals ready to eat". Where else can the enlisted youth of America grow up quickly and be allowed to go the front of the line when boarding an airplane (except America). America, "love it or leave it" tee-shirts are just around the corner as young people begin to learn that unprotected sex will not lead to pregnancy termination but rather to poopy diapers and streach-marks. Seriously, how profoundly entertaining are these time, and will the arts flourish through political stimulus or rather die for want of talent and character?. Interesting times, as self proclaimed Patriots cower in their offices and homes. I love this guy Trump as it is just like watching an atomic bomb supercharged Buster Keaton careen headlong into an empty swimming pool.
While I accept what I think is your central point (the Trump Administration is alienating friends without a clear plan in mind), I have very serious reservations about your endorsement of TPP. The TPP would alienate China. If we want to build better relations with China would it not be more prudent to acknowledge that China has a legitimate sphere of influence in Asia and to refrain from building economic regimes designed to pull smaller Asian countries outside the orbit of Chinese influence?
The U.S. stands behind the Monroe doctrine even now. Why is it so difficult to accept a similar principle might be at work within other great powers?
The U.S. stands behind the Monroe doctrine even now. Why is it so difficult to accept a similar principle might be at work within other great powers?
It seems to me that David Leonhardt doesn't get it; he seems to be missing something, perhaps naively so. He said: "The people with the most ability to limit the damage are Republicans who see themselves as advocates of a strong America. Bob Corker, John McCain, Marco Rubio and other members of Congress have enough leverage over the administration, in any number of ways, to influence it." What Leonhardt seems to miss is that Republicans are so terribly afraid of Trump's ability to make them irrelevant, if not obsolete, with just a few tweets. Trump's extremely weak ego and extremely high level of insecurity means that he cannot and will not tolerate dissent. As is true of so many mentally and emotionally challenged people, Trump will perseverate (with his tweets), as he has already demonstrated so many times before.
You should define what makes a “superpower.” Economically, China has either the second or third largest national GDP of all countries (if you count the EU, otherwise they’re second) and they are a dynamo in trade, as we have all found out. They have their own international bank. They are certainly not a stupid nor ignorant people, so their technological capacity is vast. Nuclear bombs? Have them. I’m sure they are re-evaluating their treaty commitments right this minute. Their attitude is simply: we’re here, let us be one of you, or get out of our way.
We are supposed to show them how a transparent, honest, democracy works. In one fell swoop, we’ve sunk below their level. The gag orders on our federal agencies is appalling. The executive order on immigration, a blatantly discriminatory act, is also highly suspect in that Saudi Arabia was not on the list. The Trump Organization does business in Saudi Arabia, and the 9/11 terrorists were from Saudi Arabia. We’re hypocrites. We have no honor. The Chinese see it now.
China now finds us to be morally weak hypocrites, and they will take advantage. How long has the United States been around? Since 1776? 240 years? How long has China been around? Thousands of years. They’ve seen more history, more yin and yang, than we know. The dominant force on this planet before was us; now it will shift to them. They see it, and will not hesitate to take advantage.
We are supposed to show them how a transparent, honest, democracy works. In one fell swoop, we’ve sunk below their level. The gag orders on our federal agencies is appalling. The executive order on immigration, a blatantly discriminatory act, is also highly suspect in that Saudi Arabia was not on the list. The Trump Organization does business in Saudi Arabia, and the 9/11 terrorists were from Saudi Arabia. We’re hypocrites. We have no honor. The Chinese see it now.
China now finds us to be morally weak hypocrites, and they will take advantage. How long has the United States been around? Since 1776? 240 years? How long has China been around? Thousands of years. They’ve seen more history, more yin and yang, than we know. The dominant force on this planet before was us; now it will shift to them. They see it, and will not hesitate to take advantage.
1
I don't quite get why China is only a "potential" super-power. Not only is its population four times as large as that of the US; it's economy (adjusted, as it should be, for purchasing power parity) is also larger than that of the US; and it possesses a substantial nuclear arsenal, together with ICBMs that can reach anywhere in the world.
Let me help you out: without their shameless theft of intellectual property for the past 27 years, as well as their currency manipulation and overt favoritism of Chinese companies domestically, they would be India.
1
Ironically, "decline of the US of A" just started. It is so sad! US was the moral leader. American dream was the inspiration for many of us. The can-do spirit was admiral and uniquecally American. Remember the movie An American Tail?! What has happened?!
Why should everything be zero-sum game? I really hope that the Chinese leader President Xi will have a cool head. 20% tariff is really not so bad. Use the opportunity to move up economic ladder and reduce the reliance on exports. It makes no sense to subsidize environmental damage for exports. That day should be gone for good. Military buildup should be limited because only the military industrial complex benefits from such move. BTW, big government is wasful so does big military. Serve the people wholeheartedly should always be the founding principle. Finally, think in the shoes of Americans. Put aside whether "democracy" is good or bad to China, in the US, politicians are under pressure to create jobs. Instead of confrontations, why not work together and find common ground. US now has cheap natural gas. Send some industries to US actually makes sense also for the purpose of improving air quality.
Why should everything be zero-sum game? I really hope that the Chinese leader President Xi will have a cool head. 20% tariff is really not so bad. Use the opportunity to move up economic ladder and reduce the reliance on exports. It makes no sense to subsidize environmental damage for exports. That day should be gone for good. Military buildup should be limited because only the military industrial complex benefits from such move. BTW, big government is wasful so does big military. Serve the people wholeheartedly should always be the founding principle. Finally, think in the shoes of Americans. Put aside whether "democracy" is good or bad to China, in the US, politicians are under pressure to create jobs. Instead of confrontations, why not work together and find common ground. US now has cheap natural gas. Send some industries to US actually makes sense also for the purpose of improving air quality.
It is tragic that Trump is so lacking in any depth of thought that he has made these dangerous decisions based only upon his belief he is 'fulfilling promises' with no regards for their consequences. He truly appears to be an empty vessel as it applies to public policy;both foreign and domestic. The only person, I believe who really understands what is going to happen with these types of actions is Mr. Bannon. He is a self-pronounced anarchist who wants to tear down institutions. Mr. Bannon's goals are being achieved. Trump's actions will ultimately end his presidency in disgrace and leave our country in far worse shape than we can imagine.
1
Mr trump has handed china a gift that will come to bite America in the long term. Short term pandering to an impacted constituency
Will not address their issues because none of the economic Or political decisions seems to be systematically thought through.
Instead of random twitter proclamations if Mr trump had spent time devising policy recommendations with short and long term formulations the country would have been better off.
Instead he has created a veritable maelstrom of executive actions without thinking through the short and long term impact of the same. Ironically when he accused Bush 2 of making bad policy in Iraq it seems he is copying from the same playbook by his short sighted executive actions.
Will not address their issues because none of the economic Or political decisions seems to be systematically thought through.
Instead of random twitter proclamations if Mr trump had spent time devising policy recommendations with short and long term formulations the country would have been better off.
Instead he has created a veritable maelstrom of executive actions without thinking through the short and long term impact of the same. Ironically when he accused Bush 2 of making bad policy in Iraq it seems he is copying from the same playbook by his short sighted executive actions.
The popping champagne corks in China and some parts of the Middle East (or alternatively, prayers of thanks there, somewhat balancing the increased desperation felt by others) are clear results of the carnival prince's actions.
He also is in contempt of courts, which I was under the impression is cause for arrest and imprisonment.
He also is in contempt of courts, which I was under the impression is cause for arrest and imprisonment.
China is showing its muscle in international relations; although never as strong as democratic nations, given that Beijing undermines its own people's freedom of expression, and their potentially invaluable input as constructive criticism, it will drown a weak America under the thumb of a dumb narcissist in charge, an incompetent bully seeking relevance in all the wrong places. And some thought that all the insults and lies, and braggadocio, of candidate Trump were just dirty tricks to fool uneducated folks into supporting him. Now we see that a twisted old tree cannot, will not change for the better; instead, remain unscrupulous and irresponsibly cruel. So, with a betraying bully at the helm, do we still think we are better than communist China?
Trump pulled the United States out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Why did he do that? Was it a stupid action as some believe or a deliberate well thought out strategy meant to reward Trump's supporters in Wall Street and the rust belt. Trump and his team knew that China will step in to fill the void. Trump and his advisers (including 5 GS alumni) want to kill the TPP and NAFTA and propose the same kind of bi-lateral free trade agreements China is proposing. The difference between the old and new free trade agreements is that the new agreements are only concerned with access to raw materials and markets. The TPP protected Intellectual Property and workers rights. The old free trade agreements favored the dominance of Tech companies like Apple, Google, Facebook and the west coast tech elite at the detriment of the east coast financial elite of bankers and politicians and did not help the rust belt. Trump's approach is to weaken the west coat elite and favor the bankers. It's war between two elites that can lead to the demise of the economy. Without IP protection, Apple is just a gadget company, competitors can sell identical products for a fraction of what Apple charges. Google is just a search algorithm company and Facebook a computer user interface company both can be easily copied.
1
Come one, the pact was dead in the water even in the Obama era. The Senate was never going to ratify such a treaty. Trump only took it off the table and cleared the agenda for his administration. Personally, I would have stayed and tried to bargain for a better deal but apparently the Senate previously had decided that the existing parameters were not going to go in our favor for a win-win.
3
Our government will need to shed itself of its 1950s mentality that seems to be embedded top to bottom in its sclerotic management if it wants to really make China's ascendance positive and peaceful.
Even a couple forward thinking steps would improve relations dramatically:
1. End US military presence on the Korean peninsula. China continues to keep North Korea slightly ill-fed and rabid as a buffer against potential US invasion. We could have the crazy Kims sent into exile, eventually unify Korea and save money to boot.
2. Allow China to take the lead on security for the South China Sea. Create some form of cooperative security agreement where we work together to ensure freedom of navigation, but with China clearly in the lead.
China may be a fierce competitor, but they are not our enemy.
Even a couple forward thinking steps would improve relations dramatically:
1. End US military presence on the Korean peninsula. China continues to keep North Korea slightly ill-fed and rabid as a buffer against potential US invasion. We could have the crazy Kims sent into exile, eventually unify Korea and save money to boot.
2. Allow China to take the lead on security for the South China Sea. Create some form of cooperative security agreement where we work together to ensure freedom of navigation, but with China clearly in the lead.
China may be a fierce competitor, but they are not our enemy.
The Chinese Communist government is our enemy, and the enemy of freedom-loving people everywhere.
1
Immigration is what made this country "Great" in the first place. The President is using irrational fear of terrorism to justify his attack on immigrants. Statistically, terrorism does not even make the top twenty of risks to the average American, but even so many Americans feel afraid. An authoritarian leader is able to brush aside irrational fears of their subjects and focus energy on the real problems of their country. However there is no guarantee that they will do so, since authoritarian leaders are humans like the rest of us. Even though a democracy can be chaotic and irrational in the moment, I believe that in the long run democracies have a better chance of making good choices than authoritarians.
"Immigration is what made this country "Great" in the first place."
Wrong. Disaffected British colonists of impeccable honor created our constitution, which makes this country the greatest country this world has ever seen, ever.
Wrong. Disaffected British colonists of impeccable honor created our constitution, which makes this country the greatest country this world has ever seen, ever.
1
In arguing against Trump's deranged policies, please don't engage in alt-facts from the left.
The TPP -- negotiated in secret in committees representing major corporations but not civil society groups, with even elected members of Congress required to view drafts in a "secure location" under supervision, with no staff or notes allowed -- deserved to be jettisoned. The TPP skewed toward multinationals at the expense of America's manufacturers and small businesses -- as found in objective analyses. It should have been understood as a warning well before the fateful election that Democrats were losing their bearings and principles, favoring Big Oil, Food and Pharma over the interests of "real people." It was never about workers' rights, environmental protection or even truly free trade, which is why it was opposed by both the AFL-CIO and Sierra Club. That said, Trump's one-dimensional, bigoted and backward-looking policies won't serve those people and communities either.
To create good new jobs in the US, we need to innovate clean energy technologies and export the most energy-efficient machines and appliances in the world. The Chinese just announced a $360 Billion investment in clean energy over the next four years. How will Trump respond to that?
The TPP -- negotiated in secret in committees representing major corporations but not civil society groups, with even elected members of Congress required to view drafts in a "secure location" under supervision, with no staff or notes allowed -- deserved to be jettisoned. The TPP skewed toward multinationals at the expense of America's manufacturers and small businesses -- as found in objective analyses. It should have been understood as a warning well before the fateful election that Democrats were losing their bearings and principles, favoring Big Oil, Food and Pharma over the interests of "real people." It was never about workers' rights, environmental protection or even truly free trade, which is why it was opposed by both the AFL-CIO and Sierra Club. That said, Trump's one-dimensional, bigoted and backward-looking policies won't serve those people and communities either.
To create good new jobs in the US, we need to innovate clean energy technologies and export the most energy-efficient machines and appliances in the world. The Chinese just announced a $360 Billion investment in clean energy over the next four years. How will Trump respond to that?
5
The Outrage justifies itself by the excesses of the right.
That overlooks that for both sides, those excesses are counterproductive of convincing the middle. Preaching to the partisan choir gains little.
Going insane is not a useful response to insanity.
That overlooks that for both sides, those excesses are counterproductive of convincing the middle. Preaching to the partisan choir gains little.
Going insane is not a useful response to insanity.
2
While there have been many dire and urgent news items coming from the Trump White House, I think history will show us that the biggest one is the story of his actions and their relation to China.
I lived in mainland China for 7 years and people there are eager to prove that the 21st century is the Chinese Century. By ceding America's moral authority, its will to lead in the Pacific and its status as the standard bearer of globalism, Trump has hastened China's ascendancy.
Americans may view Trump's actions as a reassertion of American strength but in puffing up his chest he is shrugging off the mantle of international responsibility that America has worn since WWII. It can only weaken us. And don't even get me started about his Taiwan blunder.
These kind of actions are the sort of grand historical opportunity that the Chinese leadership have been waiting years for. They are playing a long-sighted game of Go; Trump's short term attention span can only play Candy Crush.
We may not see it now, but we could be witnessing a historical inflection point similar to when the Ming Dynasty stopped growing its Navy - at the time the best in the world - thus ceding control of the oceans to European Imperialism.
I lived in mainland China for 7 years and people there are eager to prove that the 21st century is the Chinese Century. By ceding America's moral authority, its will to lead in the Pacific and its status as the standard bearer of globalism, Trump has hastened China's ascendancy.
Americans may view Trump's actions as a reassertion of American strength but in puffing up his chest he is shrugging off the mantle of international responsibility that America has worn since WWII. It can only weaken us. And don't even get me started about his Taiwan blunder.
These kind of actions are the sort of grand historical opportunity that the Chinese leadership have been waiting years for. They are playing a long-sighted game of Go; Trump's short term attention span can only play Candy Crush.
We may not see it now, but we could be witnessing a historical inflection point similar to when the Ming Dynasty stopped growing its Navy - at the time the best in the world - thus ceding control of the oceans to European Imperialism.
4
The TPP was almost certainly a disaster for the USA. Trump and Sanders forcibly opposed it (to their credit). Hillary pretended to oppose it (the TPP) while secretly backing it to the hilt (look at her VP choice). Her (de facto) support for the TPP was a key reason she lost.
Every trade deal since NAFTA has been sold with stories about "how could its going to be" for the USA. The USA has been a clear and dramatic loser in every trade deal since (and including) NAFTA. These are just the facts. The American people have zero reason to believe the advocates of any and all trade deals given the actual track record over the last 30 years.
The truth is that the TPP would have been great for the plutocratic elite that David Leonhardt so ably represents. For the American people (and are nation as a whole), the TPP would have been just another disaster.
Trump deserves great credit for killing the TPP. Sanders would have killed it as well (and would have deserved equal praise).
Hillary would have passed it to the enduring detriment of our country.
Every trade deal since NAFTA has been sold with stories about "how could its going to be" for the USA. The USA has been a clear and dramatic loser in every trade deal since (and including) NAFTA. These are just the facts. The American people have zero reason to believe the advocates of any and all trade deals given the actual track record over the last 30 years.
The truth is that the TPP would have been great for the plutocratic elite that David Leonhardt so ably represents. For the American people (and are nation as a whole), the TPP would have been just another disaster.
Trump deserves great credit for killing the TPP. Sanders would have killed it as well (and would have deserved equal praise).
Hillary would have passed it to the enduring detriment of our country.
3
It seems that Trump cannot handle The Big Time. He is always counterpunching like a loser. He sits in the White House exhibiting none of the comfort and confidence of a winner.
Unlike 'W' or Obama who assumed a calm authority in the Oval Office Trump exudes a sense of fear and ignorance. He cowers in a defensive cringe, surrounded by his clique of dissemblers and flunkies, firing off insults to the world via his presidential signings. All a bit juvenile.
This is not the act of a leader in charge of his brief, it is the bad act of a sulky adolescent whose main occupation is feeling sorry for himself, dissing authority and insulting anyone who opposes his thoughts and deeds.
Europeans are taking a very deep breath as China calmly takes over as the adult on the world stage whilst casting aside the values my father and uncles fought for in WW2 and many others have fought for in wars since then.
As this takes place The US is left watching From the Kremlin with Love curtesy of the Trump enterprises.
Why does Trump want second place for the USA.
Unlike 'W' or Obama who assumed a calm authority in the Oval Office Trump exudes a sense of fear and ignorance. He cowers in a defensive cringe, surrounded by his clique of dissemblers and flunkies, firing off insults to the world via his presidential signings. All a bit juvenile.
This is not the act of a leader in charge of his brief, it is the bad act of a sulky adolescent whose main occupation is feeling sorry for himself, dissing authority and insulting anyone who opposes his thoughts and deeds.
Europeans are taking a very deep breath as China calmly takes over as the adult on the world stage whilst casting aside the values my father and uncles fought for in WW2 and many others have fought for in wars since then.
As this takes place The US is left watching From the Kremlin with Love curtesy of the Trump enterprises.
Why does Trump want second place for the USA.
7
It should be clear by now that the Current White House occupant has grave concerns about the strength of his stick. Who, but a pathetically insecure man boasts about his reproductive body part, loudly, on the campaign trail, in comparison with an opponent, in public.
The current White House occupant has indeed opened the door of Asian economic dominance wide open to China but it must be said that the short-sightedness on this issue is shared across an American political spectrum that has turned so inward as to lose all reasonable perspective. Both Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton were all set to blow the TPP to smithereens.
As for ISIS, for every would-be terrorist barred by the current White House occupant's intemperate policy bludgeon on immigration, ten more Muslims already here will be turned toward radicalism, posing an even greater danger to the homeland's security.
These are the wages of policy by extreme, persistent and character-driven ill will. We're only ten days into this perverse Administration, with a mere 1450 more to go.
www.endthemadnessnow,org
The current White House occupant has indeed opened the door of Asian economic dominance wide open to China but it must be said that the short-sightedness on this issue is shared across an American political spectrum that has turned so inward as to lose all reasonable perspective. Both Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton were all set to blow the TPP to smithereens.
As for ISIS, for every would-be terrorist barred by the current White House occupant's intemperate policy bludgeon on immigration, ten more Muslims already here will be turned toward radicalism, posing an even greater danger to the homeland's security.
These are the wages of policy by extreme, persistent and character-driven ill will. We're only ten days into this perverse Administration, with a mere 1450 more to go.
www.endthemadnessnow,org
3
Bernie would of actually negotiated a better deal like Donald Trump promised, not just wipe the whole thing off the table. A better deal would take away the corporate court rule, would of enforce labor and environment standards for all, patent rules which did not lower competition giving the current corporate power brokers all the power, and all the other items in it that really did not involve trade.
Great commentary, David. I think we all must remember that Trump supporters love his every action, and, when one goes wrong, they simply accept it anyway. This is an angry, disheveled group of poorly thinking caitiffs who were able to nominate an unqualified Trump over six qualified Republican primary candidates. It's the way that we (okay, Jefferson, Madison and others. It's not our fault) structured our democracy.
These people could vote (or tweet) our great democracy out of existence. To Churchill's sardonic statement, that democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others, I'll add, when you can get it. Included in the worst form is our democracy's ability to dissolve itself.
Our democracy depends on an educated electorate and ethical politicians. Maybe some of the electorate is a surly bunch, but it is the honest politician's rôle to guide them to a better place. But what's happened in recent years is that Right Wing media and its contentious writers have made a lucrative market out of disgruntled voters' irrationality; Trump arose from this sordid concoction.
Another aspect of our democracy is the two party system that checks the extremes of each. It should produce rational discourse. However, Right Wing media has tossed all of that out in building its churlish following. There is no rational thought among these people, so the GOP is weakened in capability.
Republican legislators are left only to await Trump's next tweet.
These people could vote (or tweet) our great democracy out of existence. To Churchill's sardonic statement, that democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others, I'll add, when you can get it. Included in the worst form is our democracy's ability to dissolve itself.
Our democracy depends on an educated electorate and ethical politicians. Maybe some of the electorate is a surly bunch, but it is the honest politician's rôle to guide them to a better place. But what's happened in recent years is that Right Wing media and its contentious writers have made a lucrative market out of disgruntled voters' irrationality; Trump arose from this sordid concoction.
Another aspect of our democracy is the two party system that checks the extremes of each. It should produce rational discourse. However, Right Wing media has tossed all of that out in building its churlish following. There is no rational thought among these people, so the GOP is weakened in capability.
Republican legislators are left only to await Trump's next tweet.
58
Withdrawal from the TPP was a massive own goal. We've handed Pacific supremacy to China on a plate. The Republicans are a disgrace. They actually initiated both the TPP and NAFTA (another Trump target) and now sit there saying nothing.
105
China is already negotiating with Mexico a 30 billion dollars new deal for the next 5 years, Asia Pacific is doing the same with Latin America and Canada.
2
John--On the money, as usual. Thanks.
1
Trump and his hateful egotistic kleptocracy are set to make China great, and other world powers as well. This terrifying wannabe god is a small selfish child (though I insult children) and his tantrums are evil and dangerous.
97
I don't know how America's enemies and rivals feel, but I can tell you your friends and allies north of the border are in shock and disbelief. I'm 69 and have always viewed the USA as friendly giant. That giant is still enormous and powerful, but it has become angry and erratic I'm really scared.
278
Agreed. The bad stuff within the national DNA and usually settled at the bottom of the melting pot cauldron; "exceptionalism" etc. ie. Ve iss da Master Race
has floated to the top of the national bowl ( if I may be allowed a mixed metaphor)
Rough, very rough waters ahead for all of us.
Will the self serving but generally sane economic wing of the Republican party push back at the blow-it-up jingoistic wing while they still have a chance? The stakes could not be higher for all of us on planet earth.
Not the time to go catatonic though. Canada's voice is VERY helpful I think.
has floated to the top of the national bowl ( if I may be allowed a mixed metaphor)
Rough, very rough waters ahead for all of us.
Will the self serving but generally sane economic wing of the Republican party push back at the blow-it-up jingoistic wing while they still have a chance? The stakes could not be higher for all of us on planet earth.
Not the time to go catatonic though. Canada's voice is VERY helpful I think.
1
We are also scared south of the border. Scared and mad as hell! Somehow, the minority band of idiots in America got hold of the reigns. We need to work furiously to take them back before we go off a cliff.
Many of us instinctively considered moving to Canada after the election. As attractive as that option is, that would not help Canada and certainly not the US. We cannot run from this fight.
Many of us instinctively considered moving to Canada after the election. As attractive as that option is, that would not help Canada and certainly not the US. We cannot run from this fight.
1
@William. I am your age and like you, I am in disbelief that Americans have elected Donald Trump. I worry what kind of an America my grandchildren will grow up in. As I told some of my Canadian friends, "Don't blame me - I didn't vote for him". I wasn't a big Hillary fan but we would certainly be a lot more stable with her in the White House.
1
Thanks for a good assessment of the importance of the TPP. So many on the left & right became too focused on the supposed risk to American jobs. The partnership also set work place and wage rules which would actually make American products more competitive. As you note, our pulling out creates opportunity for China, instead of the US, to become the strongest partner in an Asian trading block. The move was short sighted, as is much of what currently passes for policy under the "leadership" of The Dear Leader and his handlers.
122
My angst with the TPP lay with secrecy that seemed to surround it. i was and still am surprised Obama wasn't more transparent in it's intro to the American people. He should have trusted us to be fair in our opinions and strengthened his arguments for items we may have found distasteful. Never throw the baby out with the bath water and Trump is breaking that rule every day. Even Stalin kept his enemies close. Trump is too busy making enemies to see that.
America. Put a fork in it. We are done.
52
Full speed ahead Captain Smith!
I understand the feeling of dread but we are the majority. We cannot forget all of the strong and good people who continue to fight--and there are a LOT of them. It will be a very painful and unstable several years but this is very winnable.
1
All good points, Mr. Leonhardt. You might also have mentioned how quite of few of the three and a half million Muslims now living in the United States have been invaluable resources for identifying and discouraging youth who might be subject to radicalization. This irreplaceable resource Trump and Bannon have decided to throw away with both hands by stigmatizing them and their religion. In the New York City area, where you and I both live, there are 600,000 Muslims. They are better educated, have higher median incomes, lower crime rates, stronger families and better-behaved children than the non-Muslims around them. These are the folks we should want as neighbors and fellow-Americans. But Trump has chosen hate-group-Christianity, and it has chosen him. As Jonathan Swift said, "They have just enough religion to cause them to hate, but not enough to cause them to love, their neighbor." Sad!
203
And the great irony is that a lot of Muslims, being of a conservative frame of mind, vote, or used to vote, Republican.
America's standing in the world feels like a tide that has turned and started to go out. Australia really wanted the USA to hold and improve its influence on the Pacific Rim with the TPP. If the TPP was a break-even economic deal for the USA then in strengthening Malaysia and Vietnam, leveraging Japan and Singapore to hold a countervail balance in the region with China was the least risk best position for the USA long term. The TPP was putting America's strategic interests first. PRC China has indeed had an excellent kick-off for the Year of the Rooster with a USA own goal.
7
I just returned from a 2 week trip to Curacao, in the Caribbean, 32 miles from Venezuela, 1900 miles from Washington DC. The Chinese are poised to take over the vast oil refinery strategically located on a protected port. Other visitors report the Chinese are building a large new consulate on Trinidad and Tobago. Seems China's ambitions are very much in the Western hemisphere, too.
25
So they're learning Spanish, and could be a real asset in helping Mexico build an Economic Wall across our southern border.
1
And they will be very happy to take over the oil in Mexico currently sold to the US!
1
He seems to say "Look, I can even write my name!" Many European countries, formost Germany, have in light of the free fall of the US over cliff, started to explore other venues, especially China. China is poised to jump in and profit of six ardous years of negotiations, which he signed away in a second, backstabbing Japan's prime minister, as much as Australias. He is not only making China strong again, in fact he is creating new alliances all over the World.
"Make the world hate the US (again)" is really going to improve our lot, isn't it?
"Make the world hate the US (again)" is really going to improve our lot, isn't it?
20
Dear David,
The Republicans you have mentions with the leverage to do anything have little reason to help this administration by checking its ineptitude. They were all quiet so they could get re-elected and now as the old saying goes they are giving him enough rope..... The only problem is that many innocents will be left swinging in the wind.
The Republicans you have mentions with the leverage to do anything have little reason to help this administration by checking its ineptitude. They were all quiet so they could get re-elected and now as the old saying goes they are giving him enough rope..... The only problem is that many innocents will be left swinging in the wind.
11
Spot on Daniel. We the "innocents" are just collateral damage to the GOP. They have been waiting for the chance to undo the 20th century since FDR for a long, long time. They will have their moment soon enough.
The enemies as well as the friends of the US are shaking their heads. It cannot be true that America has a completely incompetent President. The Republicans will pay a big prize if they continue to support him.
10
I note that this is the Opinion section of the paper. Nothing else. Although when it reaches so many readers each day, it becomes a bit like an alternate reality.
8
Maybe our karma will run over your dogma.
You are missing an important point: The narrative is clearly marked as opinion. When dear leader promotes an opinion as an irrefutable truth that is the alternate reality.
Not when it is clearly published as an op-ed, instead of brazenly defended as a truth
Instead of focusing on Trump, and what an obvious loser he is (yes, we see that!), could someone, anyone, at the NY Times, do some digging on why he was installed by Russia? Of course he's creating chaos. That's why they went to so much trouble to see that he 'win' the election. The Republicans are supporting treason under the guise of 'Make America Great Again.' Um, this is a story.
31
One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Trump administration centers on the insularity of its outlook. Other presidents since WWII have recognized that America's leadership role in the world required them to include other countries as part of their constituency. If we expected our allies to follow our lead, we had to consider their needs and interests as well as our own.
Trump made clear in both his campaign and his inaugural address that such a cosmopolitan outlook would no longer guide official policy. He would decouple our interests from those of our friends and pursue only the former. The sacrifices required to maintain alliances would no longer find favor in the Trump White House. Scorn for trade agreements simply serves as the first example of this new attitude. The Iran agreement and even NATO may soon enough find themselves in the crosshairs of the Trump administration.
Trump made clear in both his campaign and his inaugural address that such a cosmopolitan outlook would no longer guide official policy. He would decouple our interests from those of our friends and pursue only the former. The sacrifices required to maintain alliances would no longer find favor in the Trump White House. Scorn for trade agreements simply serves as the first example of this new attitude. The Iran agreement and even NATO may soon enough find themselves in the crosshairs of the Trump administration.
12
China will become the new world superpower.All empires fade from their position of world dominance.From the Roman Empire to the British Empire.The American Empire is next in line.China will soon have the economic and military power to become the dominant nation in the world.It already has the population.What The Donald is doing---speed up the inevitable.The big question is what will America do when it only is the dominant military power.With that buffoon as Commander in Chief----one can only cringe!
22
Has anyone paid attention to how much property China has bought in Virginia? It's not just because they like Smithfield Ham!
The comparison with TR is great. Trump is all about surface appearances and is frighteningly insensitive to the ramifications of his actions. The key to containing the damage he's likely to do to American interests is whether enough sensible Republicans are willing to break from their lockstep adherence to the party line. I'm just a wee bit encouraged by the concerns voiced by McCain, Lindsey and others about Trump's ham-handed, destructive executive order on immigration.
14
China has already stepped into the world leadership position left void by a totally unqualified president installing totally unqualified people into positions of leadership. Sad really (to use one of our Orange Blob in chief's) statements!
19
You're absolutely right Dennis, after eight years of unqualified Obama's unqualified people letting things get totally out of hand, China has stepped into the leadership role.
My observation of Trump is that he does want to be the leader of the world and America play the self appointed role post world war II of super power, the moral leader, the manipulator, the regime changer, the puppeteer, the nanny etc. He wants the major powers to feel free to play their part in dealing with the problems of the world as well as spending their own resources and not burdening America all the time. So what if China, Russia, Britain, Germany and every country becomes great again while America also becomes greater without being the super power. Being a super power and acting like one has come with a cost of a 20 trillion dollars debt and several countries devastated and an epic migration of miserable people left without a homeland and it has hurt Americans who turned up for the election and elected a president who proclaimed America First. If in that process China becomes great again or Britain really becomes great Britain so be it.
4
Mr. Leonhardt writes: "The people with the most ability to limit the damage are Republicans who see themselves as advocates of a strong America.:
He doesn't understand Republicans. Republicans crave authoritarian leaders. They yearn for dictators. They will do what they're told by Trump.
Only the American people can save America from the rising despotism of Donald Trump.
He doesn't understand Republicans. Republicans crave authoritarian leaders. They yearn for dictators. They will do what they're told by Trump.
Only the American people can save America from the rising despotism of Donald Trump.
61
The Republican hierarchy is on CNN right now defending Trump's immigration order. They're all for it.
The TPP is presented here as a benign treaty which is largely harmless. You do not negotiate a benign treaty in total, highly controlled, secrecy as was done with the TPP. The TPP was a real threat to our commercial laws, unions, and our world competitiveness. Even Hillary got that point right.
34
Finally a voice of sanity about TPP. When a negotiation is conducted in secret and the beneficiaries of the proposal have most of the seats at the table, is it naive to question the efficacy of the result. Oligopoly and monopoly have been shown many times to be in no interest but their own. The corporate interests who wrote TPP were to be its prime beneficiaries.
1
Absolutely. I don't know enough about economics to evaluate the specific pros and cons of the TPP, but I know enough about politics to realize that there must be something seriously bad about it to make the secrecy and fast-tracking necessary.
1
Not TOTAL secrecy. Corporate lobbyists were invited to the table to impart their own wise and righteous counsel.
1
These Republicans that are in office are evil men who represent their own interests, not the interests of the American people. They have destroyed the American reputation around the world. The only way to regain our honor is to rid ourselves of this cancer before it destroys us. Keep marching, keep protesting, vote in 2018 and kick the mean spirited Republicans out of Congress so we can do the constitutional thing and get rid of this President.
68
The leaders of China and Russia no doubt fall asleep giggling to themselves about how anything they could have dreamed of to undermine the United States' global status and influence pales by comparison to what the current U.S. president is by his own hand doing to further that very end. Way to go Donald!
99
The administration embarrassed itself further by pointing to the terrorism at the Quebec mosque and the Boston bombing as examples of the kind of actions that would be prevented by Mr. Trump's executive order... an alt-right president who relies on alt-facts is moving the US in a dangerous direction... the GOP needs to act quickly to protect it's brand and more importantly it's citizens.
35
It was a French Canadian who committed the murders at the Quebec mosque. Should we ban them too? And the Boston bombers were from Kazakhstan. No ban there.
The TPP was in most respects an excellent proposal that would have produced positive results for the US and the world. The rejection of it represents stupidity and fear prevailing over reason and collaboration. While we all know Trump's orientation toward fostering Russian interests, his apparent interest in China's successes is evidenced in this move.
So far, with modest exceptions, the Republicans have been craven cowards in dealing with Trump's chaos. Their Congressional leadership is especially depraved. We can only hope for better.
So far, with modest exceptions, the Republicans have been craven cowards in dealing with Trump's chaos. Their Congressional leadership is especially depraved. We can only hope for better.
44
TPP was something HRC also rejected. The sentiment of the American people was totally against it. For we the thinking, it was not the loss of jobs (capitalism is after all, a game of winners and losers), but for the power it gave multinational corporations over sovereign nations. It codified what has actually been happening over 4 decades. That said, I like to think that HRC would have attempted to make it a public discussion, and would have renegotiated it with all interested parties. Obama mismanaged this, bigley, that is undeniable. Now because we have a wild card in the white house, all bets are off as to what is to come.
20
It would be useful if those commenting on the world knew more about it. By looking at superficial foreign policy activities we observe a few symptoms, not deep causes. To mistake the one for the other is foolish. For example, to assume that China's core is a "bare-knuckle economic system" not only forgets our own past of much worse bare-knuckles (was that the real us?), but ignores China's history. China's foreign policy AIM is not to dominate others. It is aiming at development of its economy and society while at the same time maintaining its relative independence as a sovereign state in our contemporary world order. From our vantage point this is seen as aggressive hegemonic activity. But they say the same about us (Trump did say we should have takes Iran's oil). By treating the symptom (through military actions) rather than the underlying condition (by engaging in a relationship of equals, appreciating our interdependence, and understanding their needs) we will inadvertently make them become what we fear they might be.
29
While I agree with most of what you say, how would you know what China's ultimate goal is?
Trump said we should have taken Iraq's oil, not Iran's. But give him time!
I'm beginning to get the idea that trump sits down, thinks what could be the worst thing for America and then does it.
55
Except Trump has outsourced the "thinking" to Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner.
1
"The people with the most ability to limit the damage are Republicans who see themselves as advocates of a strong America." Perhaps, but I fear these Republicans do not see themselves foundationally as representatives of their citizens; rather they may see themselves as anointed ones whose prime directive is staying in their lofty positions.
I saw the same thing in my practice of medicine. Hospitals strove to be the premier institution in the community so others, in Shelley's words, might "look on my works ye mighty and despair". They delighted in the Edifice Complex and not the legions of sick and injured who passed through the gates. They seemed to say, "Patients don't matter--we can always get more." Sad when hospitals think this way--dangerous when countries follow suit.
I saw the same thing in my practice of medicine. Hospitals strove to be the premier institution in the community so others, in Shelley's words, might "look on my works ye mighty and despair". They delighted in the Edifice Complex and not the legions of sick and injured who passed through the gates. They seemed to say, "Patients don't matter--we can always get more." Sad when hospitals think this way--dangerous when countries follow suit.
70
With the diming of the lights by Trump and the turning on of lights by the Chinese, it is only a matter of a smaller and smaller amount of time before the world will look towards the East to see the Dawn and to the west to see the twilight.
76
We can debate endlessly whether the foreign and domestic policies of President Trump are more offensive because they are immoral and cruel or because they are stupid and ignorant.
Let’s just agree that President Trump has managed to mismanage everything he has touched so far, and it took only 10 days to confirm that this flawed man is unfit for the office he now holds.
This is probably a world record for revealing a self-evident truth. America certainly has never experienced anything like it.
Let’s just agree that President Trump has managed to mismanage everything he has touched so far, and it took only 10 days to confirm that this flawed man is unfit for the office he now holds.
This is probably a world record for revealing a self-evident truth. America certainly has never experienced anything like it.
150
And if people were paying attention he has mismanaged everything in the business world he belonged to before campaigning for president. America will be his 7th bankruptcy. Where are the courageous when we need them....
Next to Climate Change this is probably the most important topic of our time.
The free trade dogma has done us great harm. Not because free trade in theory is bad. Its not. Its good. Specialization lowers costs and so all have more.
However the free trade dogma has done the US great harm on many fronts.
1. It has been spouted by newspapers and magazines as nothing but good, ignoring those for whom it was not. This has brought us the disaster that is Trump.
2. There was never free trade with China. It fixed its currency so that the cronies at the top of their system were disproportionately rewarded, while their labor costs remained artificially low.
3. Even if free trade had existed with China the spoils would have gone more to China because free trade benefits the country with the lower GDP per capita. China.
4. Then there is the matter of geopolitical supremacy being handed to a totalitarian country. Not a democracy. No free press. A spying, secret stealing, cheating, totalitarian country. A rising tide of geopolitical supremacy used to be called and arms race. And in a race there is one winner.
5. TPP was a plan to keep the spoils of cheap labor flowing to the US but from places like Vietnam. It was to keep the spoils flowing to the megarich and powerful at the expense of the US and Chinese worker. But it was also designed to keep some of those spoils out of the hands of Beijing. And now because of 1. wont happen.
Pinpointed Tariffs will work.
The free trade dogma has done us great harm. Not because free trade in theory is bad. Its not. Its good. Specialization lowers costs and so all have more.
However the free trade dogma has done the US great harm on many fronts.
1. It has been spouted by newspapers and magazines as nothing but good, ignoring those for whom it was not. This has brought us the disaster that is Trump.
2. There was never free trade with China. It fixed its currency so that the cronies at the top of their system were disproportionately rewarded, while their labor costs remained artificially low.
3. Even if free trade had existed with China the spoils would have gone more to China because free trade benefits the country with the lower GDP per capita. China.
4. Then there is the matter of geopolitical supremacy being handed to a totalitarian country. Not a democracy. No free press. A spying, secret stealing, cheating, totalitarian country. A rising tide of geopolitical supremacy used to be called and arms race. And in a race there is one winner.
5. TPP was a plan to keep the spoils of cheap labor flowing to the US but from places like Vietnam. It was to keep the spoils flowing to the megarich and powerful at the expense of the US and Chinese worker. But it was also designed to keep some of those spoils out of the hands of Beijing. And now because of 1. wont happen.
Pinpointed Tariffs will work.
4
Yes tariffs are very effective, devastatingly effective except other countries respond (See Smoot Hawley et al)
I'm going to have to address one of your points, wages. I was offered a teaching position in Huzhou, about 200 km south of Shanghai but I had to decline for a health problem. The base pay for first semester was 10,000 RMB, a bit over $1,400 a month plus an apartment. You can easily eat on $10 a day if you avoid Starbucks, which is more costly in China than here. My friend who lives north of Shanghai said I'd be crazy to work for such a low rate. She works as a printer, owns a home, and drives a VW Passat. As soon as you move from unskilled to skilled labor, pay increases quickly. The government encourages home ownership even while having high down payment requirements. In another generation, there won't be a peasant class.
A politically incorrect truth that may garner a number of outraged European and Asian responses: without the U.S. market, either by direct or indirect access, all other markets are weak beer and derivative. Politically incorrect but true, and Trump knows this in his cells.
Don’t expect America’s withdrawal from TPP to be a permanent one, any more than we will repeal NAFTA. We will have a re-negotiated NAFTA and we will re-enter TPP, both adjusted to better protect legitimate American interests. But in order to create the visceral fear in nations so dependent on our immense market, necessary for them to give up the traditional advantages we’ve tolerated in our trade deals to allow others to build their middle classes at the expense of ours, Trump first needs to remind them of what they could lose by having largely free access to that U.S. market constrained.
You bargain with substance, not with nothing.
Don’t expect America’s withdrawal from TPP to be a permanent one, any more than we will repeal NAFTA. We will have a re-negotiated NAFTA and we will re-enter TPP, both adjusted to better protect legitimate American interests. But in order to create the visceral fear in nations so dependent on our immense market, necessary for them to give up the traditional advantages we’ve tolerated in our trade deals to allow others to build their middle classes at the expense of ours, Trump first needs to remind them of what they could lose by having largely free access to that U.S. market constrained.
You bargain with substance, not with nothing.
5
Actually, you bargain by bargaining. Trump isn't.
Trump has poisoned the relationship with Mexico so much it is hard to imagine any pol willing to be seen with him; he withdrew from TPP without any interest in another negotiation. He says he wants "better" agreements but we all know that he doesn't have anything in mind. World leaders don't trust him, and as PM May found, even if he controls himself when face to face Trump will resort to form.
For there to be a bargain, Trump has to he appoint someone with an interest in trade to do the hard work of bargaining and accept his or her judgment that it's the best deal. Like an actual competent president. Good luck with that. The hopes of some that we'd see a different Trump, something better, something changed by the office, have been dashed for all by now.
Trump has poisoned the relationship with Mexico so much it is hard to imagine any pol willing to be seen with him; he withdrew from TPP without any interest in another negotiation. He says he wants "better" agreements but we all know that he doesn't have anything in mind. World leaders don't trust him, and as PM May found, even if he controls himself when face to face Trump will resort to form.
For there to be a bargain, Trump has to he appoint someone with an interest in trade to do the hard work of bargaining and accept his or her judgment that it's the best deal. Like an actual competent president. Good luck with that. The hopes of some that we'd see a different Trump, something better, something changed by the office, have been dashed for all by now.
6
Unfortunately Trumps approach appears to be engendering enough mistrust and ill-will that other parties may not be interested in renegotiating. The US is market is no longer the only game in town, and once he's offended and annoyed everyone, our bargaining position is dramatically weakened. Sadly overplaying his hand seems to be the Donald's Achilles Heel.
5
Yeah:
You might want to review the basics of effective bargaining. Clearly, you need to inform yourself on the basics, as Trump decidedly does not.
You might want to review the basics of effective bargaining. Clearly, you need to inform yourself on the basics, as Trump decidedly does not.
1
Too few people in the US really know what happened in the 20th century, much less before that. But the cataclysms of two world wars, the entombment of half of Europe and Central Asia behind a Soviet wall, the vast famines deliberately created by Maoist and Stalinist madness, endless bloody revolutions in Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East and brutal labor exploitation everywhere, all of it resulted in the formation of international organizations, alliances, treaties and mechanisms in an effort to reduce violence, improve the human condition and promote economic exchange.
The US by default after WWII became the enforcer and profited enormously from its role, especially given that China and the USSR were caught in self destructive ideologies.
But China "woke up" after Mao's death, the Soviet Union collapsed, a productive workforce in Eastern Europe was freed and economies throughout the world expanded on a global commodities boom.
That Trump could describe the current conditions in the US and world as disastrous and carnage speaks to our ignorance. But it's worth remembering that two thirds of US GDP measured on a county level voted against Trump.
The role of the US in the world in the 20th century has to change in the 21st, a major Obama project. Trump's approach will ensure less US influence in the next century, exactly the opposite of what he promises.
The US by default after WWII became the enforcer and profited enormously from its role, especially given that China and the USSR were caught in self destructive ideologies.
But China "woke up" after Mao's death, the Soviet Union collapsed, a productive workforce in Eastern Europe was freed and economies throughout the world expanded on a global commodities boom.
That Trump could describe the current conditions in the US and world as disastrous and carnage speaks to our ignorance. But it's worth remembering that two thirds of US GDP measured on a county level voted against Trump.
The role of the US in the world in the 20th century has to change in the 21st, a major Obama project. Trump's approach will ensure less US influence in the next century, exactly the opposite of what he promises.
22
The history of white supremacy (Trump's view of the social order, along with his son-in-law and Bannon's) shows its utter indifference to collateral damage--the conflict and chaos created by its ascension which is recycled as leverage for its support.
When the politics of hate and blame are connected implicitly or explicitly to notions of self-righteous superiority (Trump has a long history of comments and actions that measure the depth of this formation of influence in his heart and vision), power is easily looped: truth is diminished, propaganda is spread, lies disseminated; the increase of power seems the clear way forward.
Culturally, it is the power of myth. (Think Barack being a secret Muslim.) Politically, it is a dictatorship, a constitutional tyranny that uses power to put into place a social order based on restrictions rather than freedom.
China, an "other," is familiar with this sought of thinking and knows well how to exploit it for international advantage.
When the politics of hate and blame are connected implicitly or explicitly to notions of self-righteous superiority (Trump has a long history of comments and actions that measure the depth of this formation of influence in his heart and vision), power is easily looped: truth is diminished, propaganda is spread, lies disseminated; the increase of power seems the clear way forward.
Culturally, it is the power of myth. (Think Barack being a secret Muslim.) Politically, it is a dictatorship, a constitutional tyranny that uses power to put into place a social order based on restrictions rather than freedom.
China, an "other," is familiar with this sought of thinking and knows well how to exploit it for international advantage.
15
Trump has an incredibly simplistic way of thinking. He does not have the intelligence or education to acknowledge complexity or nuances. In addition, his thoughts are all short terms. These characteristics combine to eliminate any thought of any consequences.
Trump wants to make America in Trump's image, distrustful and suspicious of others and nasty. I don't think America will go in this direction.
Trump's only long terms plan is to install a plutocracy. And president Bannon's plan is to make this plutocracy a white supremacist one.
Trump will make America, weak and small again, and consequently China great again.
Trump wants to make America in Trump's image, distrustful and suspicious of others and nasty. I don't think America will go in this direction.
Trump's only long terms plan is to install a plutocracy. And president Bannon's plan is to make this plutocracy a white supremacist one.
Trump will make America, weak and small again, and consequently China great again.
117
The pity is that our business community and our political leaders (and media) never explained to the public the geopolitical need for TPP. This aspect of the TPP was almost completely missing from the discussion. Business associations took passage for granted and the politicians were too spineless to stick their necks out and dare to educate us. Leonhardt is right, China is overjoyed not only at the demise of TPP but at the turmoil caused by Trump's recklessness. While we squabble over foundational rights the Chinese government plows straight ahead with its plan to buy up strategic industries worldwide and spread Beijing-style state capitalism throughout Asia and the Pacific. China is the winner and Asia/Pacific and US workers are the losers. US capital can easily be re-deployed to Asia but US workers cannot.
63
It's a shame the TPP was so badly negotiated, in secret no less, that I have to support Trump (and Sanders and Warren) on this one.
China now has the world's largest economy. It ls the world's leader in energy production and financing. It is the world's leader in innovation. After this past week, between Davos and Trump, it is now the world's leader in free trade.
the 20th century was "the American Century." Apparently, the 21st Century will be the Chinese Century. How will the United States react to being eclipse, to no longer being the greatest? If Trump is any indication, it will react be destroying its international relationships, its reputation, its economy and the very well being of its citizens. With nothing left but the largest military force in the world by a factor of nine - heading to 10 - Americans may want to wage a big war just to feel that they aren't losers.
At some point, the world may want to participate together in that war, just to stop what may be seen as the planet's greatest existential threat.
the 20th century was "the American Century." Apparently, the 21st Century will be the Chinese Century. How will the United States react to being eclipse, to no longer being the greatest? If Trump is any indication, it will react be destroying its international relationships, its reputation, its economy and the very well being of its citizens. With nothing left but the largest military force in the world by a factor of nine - heading to 10 - Americans may want to wage a big war just to feel that they aren't losers.
At some point, the world may want to participate together in that war, just to stop what may be seen as the planet's greatest existential threat.
41
Sorry, Jack and Louise, but enter "the world's largest economy" in the Google Window, and you get The United States as the world's largest economy. Try this:
http://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/022415/worlds-top-10-econ...
http://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/022415/worlds-top-10-econ...
1
"With nothing left but the largest military force in the world by a factor of nine - heading to 10 - Americans may want to wage a big war just to feel that they aren't losers."
This is one of the (unfortunately many) things that scares me most about the new administration. Throughout his first 10 days in office, Trump has shown that if you're weak or vulnerable, he'll gleefully makes things worse for you - whether it's poor women needing health care through his expanded global gag order or immigrants and refugees through his travel ban. At the same time, he's unwilling to stand up to other bullies, such as Putin.
The bully president has no notion of strength through diplomacy or mutual shared economic interests. What's left except strength through saber-rattling? Can any of us trust that the thin-skinned Trump won't be eager to use this new toy should he feel slighted in the least? Will congress, or the American people, stand up to him. Or, as seen in school yards across the country, will America simply cheer him on?
This is one of the (unfortunately many) things that scares me most about the new administration. Throughout his first 10 days in office, Trump has shown that if you're weak or vulnerable, he'll gleefully makes things worse for you - whether it's poor women needing health care through his expanded global gag order or immigrants and refugees through his travel ban. At the same time, he's unwilling to stand up to other bullies, such as Putin.
The bully president has no notion of strength through diplomacy or mutual shared economic interests. What's left except strength through saber-rattling? Can any of us trust that the thin-skinned Trump won't be eager to use this new toy should he feel slighted in the least? Will congress, or the American people, stand up to him. Or, as seen in school yards across the country, will America simply cheer him on?
Leader in innovation? Guess again, try leader in copying.
1
I've worked on the ground for decades in more than 40 nations. Working with and tracking large networks. Autos and electronics through the rise of Japan. Watched first hand as Toyota and Honda changed the world at that time.
Traveled the world as it was once again changed by penetration of more than 7 billion mobile phones, with a per capita penetration above 90% among the poorest people, except 60% in war torn Africa.
Now watching knowledge industries like genomics and healthcare moving world wide.
So what?
This article seriously underestimates China's current power and reach. US observers tend to measure things in "money" which misses much of human activity. That's why so many economic forecasts are wrong. They measure only monetized human activity.
China controls or influences more than 50% of the commodities on Earth. It has at least 10 million Chinese expats roving the world in managerial roles. Many of them are ignored by US experts because they don't look beyond global aggregated statistics.
The TPP was doomed because the "allies" are all becoming part of an Asian economy that already dwarfs the US one.
China does not need blundering Trump for strength. It is already the largest economy on Earth, measured by PHYSICAL influence and PPP.
Close behind is its financial influence via national debt holding and joint ventures.
The last 10 days are irrelevant.
Beyond Trump, Americans need to understand we are now a waning influence.
Traveled the world as it was once again changed by penetration of more than 7 billion mobile phones, with a per capita penetration above 90% among the poorest people, except 60% in war torn Africa.
Now watching knowledge industries like genomics and healthcare moving world wide.
So what?
This article seriously underestimates China's current power and reach. US observers tend to measure things in "money" which misses much of human activity. That's why so many economic forecasts are wrong. They measure only monetized human activity.
China controls or influences more than 50% of the commodities on Earth. It has at least 10 million Chinese expats roving the world in managerial roles. Many of them are ignored by US experts because they don't look beyond global aggregated statistics.
The TPP was doomed because the "allies" are all becoming part of an Asian economy that already dwarfs the US one.
China does not need blundering Trump for strength. It is already the largest economy on Earth, measured by PHYSICAL influence and PPP.
Close behind is its financial influence via national debt holding and joint ventures.
The last 10 days are irrelevant.
Beyond Trump, Americans need to understand we are now a waning influence.
232
Dear Marty,
What you say is true. What the Chinese have not had is international legitimacy in the eyes of the West. DJT and his cronies are now giving that away. So, do we want a world dominated by an autocratic style of government such as China, or by shrinking behind our walls give up on 50 years of leadership?
What you say is true. What the Chinese have not had is international legitimacy in the eyes of the West. DJT and his cronies are now giving that away. So, do we want a world dominated by an autocratic style of government such as China, or by shrinking behind our walls give up on 50 years of leadership?
My husband's physics dept is composed of PhDs from Stanford, MIT and CalTech. The Chinese ones have labs, post docs, grad students, equipment and grants that they go to half time in China that far outshine the measly grants, space and resources they can get here. It is an impossible job for my husband to convince them to stay and be content teaching and doing their research here. Once they have their children here, why stay, when life is better for them in China, and the children can make use of their US citizen when they grow up, if there is anything attractive left in the US by then.
5
china awaits it's turn in the international spotlight. it's totalitarian government recognizes its environmental degradation and is battling climate change on it's own. we dither over who is responsible for it. yes the new administration making leaders look incompetent here.
24
China rise is inevitable for good or bad. It is going to be accelerated because what's going on in the US and Europe.
That is however not really the problem. When I see POTUS saying we live in a nasty world I feel sick. Eye for an eye we make the world blind.
That is however not really the problem. When I see POTUS saying we live in a nasty world I feel sick. Eye for an eye we make the world blind.
48
Basically you're telling us to short the American markets and invest in the Chinese and Pacific economies?
Already working on it.
Already working on it.
32
Mr. Leonhardt correctly points out the way to analyze a policy: ask,
"who benefits?". One could hope that members of Congress might
be able to do this. But to act on it, they would have to educate their constituents.
"who benefits?". One could hope that members of Congress might
be able to do this. But to act on it, they would have to educate their constituents.
23
Mr. Leonhardt, it's highly unlikely that Republicans want to oppose this president on any level. After all, not one of the would-be nominees stood up to him when he was merely a candidate for the party's nomination.
When he did seize the GOP's blessings with 1,237 delegate votes before the Cleveland convention, the party remained silent as he barnstormed the country spewing forth his message of exclusion, white nationalism and hate.
During his toxic and divisive run to the White House, many Republicans who were locked in death struggles with Democrats for re-election in several states, flip-flopped on supporting him or moving away from his hateful messages. However, they feared the backlash of his supporters and decided to toe the party line. Indeed, many of these blue states turned red because of the racism, xenophobia and misogyny that was, frankly, sweeping the nation.
These first ten days have been horrific. The president has handed a huge propaganda gift to ISIS in its recruitment efforts, thumbed his nose at China at the trade table and created another Saturday Night Massacre that has caused widespread unrest across the country. He's Hugo Chavez, Manuel Noriega and Idi Amin rolled into one. And this is only the beginning.
When he did seize the GOP's blessings with 1,237 delegate votes before the Cleveland convention, the party remained silent as he barnstormed the country spewing forth his message of exclusion, white nationalism and hate.
During his toxic and divisive run to the White House, many Republicans who were locked in death struggles with Democrats for re-election in several states, flip-flopped on supporting him or moving away from his hateful messages. However, they feared the backlash of his supporters and decided to toe the party line. Indeed, many of these blue states turned red because of the racism, xenophobia and misogyny that was, frankly, sweeping the nation.
These first ten days have been horrific. The president has handed a huge propaganda gift to ISIS in its recruitment efforts, thumbed his nose at China at the trade table and created another Saturday Night Massacre that has caused widespread unrest across the country. He's Hugo Chavez, Manuel Noriega and Idi Amin rolled into one. And this is only the beginning.
235
The GOP will begin to oppose Trump if and when he begins to pull the party down in it's chances to win future elections. But only then.
The damage is already done. The rest of the world is only going to tolerate so much American nonsense before they decide we're not worth the hassle.
177
"Bob Corker, John McCain, Marco Rubio...have enough leverage...to influence" the [Trump] administration.
Mr. Leonhardt, I don't think so. For openers, McCain and "Little" Marco Rubio, signed the treasonous letter of 47 to Iran. That's not leadership; it's spineless follow-the-leader, the clueless freshman Tom Cotton. You expect McCain and Rubio to stand up to No. 45?
We're ten days in to "make America great again"; I see no improvement over the last eight years. "Respectable" Republicans in Congress might be willing to absorb some pain to protect their ideological interests. It's more than clear that the new suit in the Oval Office is at sea, surrounded by sycophants of a most un-American disposition.
Beijing has been given the freedom to roam the vast expanses of the Pacific Rim without the anxiety of American interference. The Chinese could not have asked for a better hand than the one the new president dealt them from (he thinks!) under the table. He ought to have known better too, having his suits and shirts and ties (and God knows what else) made in alien lands and imported here--for his and his family's benefit.
DJT was never a "protectionist" as much as he was an exploiter and deceiver. He used the Yellow Menace of China and the Brown Tide of Mexico as rafts of racism and fear to guide the lemmings down the river and over the waterfall. His attention span is exhausted after 140 characters. He sees the world as a roulette wheel of winners and losers.
So sad.
Mr. Leonhardt, I don't think so. For openers, McCain and "Little" Marco Rubio, signed the treasonous letter of 47 to Iran. That's not leadership; it's spineless follow-the-leader, the clueless freshman Tom Cotton. You expect McCain and Rubio to stand up to No. 45?
We're ten days in to "make America great again"; I see no improvement over the last eight years. "Respectable" Republicans in Congress might be willing to absorb some pain to protect their ideological interests. It's more than clear that the new suit in the Oval Office is at sea, surrounded by sycophants of a most un-American disposition.
Beijing has been given the freedom to roam the vast expanses of the Pacific Rim without the anxiety of American interference. The Chinese could not have asked for a better hand than the one the new president dealt them from (he thinks!) under the table. He ought to have known better too, having his suits and shirts and ties (and God knows what else) made in alien lands and imported here--for his and his family's benefit.
DJT was never a "protectionist" as much as he was an exploiter and deceiver. He used the Yellow Menace of China and the Brown Tide of Mexico as rafts of racism and fear to guide the lemmings down the river and over the waterfall. His attention span is exhausted after 140 characters. He sees the world as a roulette wheel of winners and losers.
So sad.
169
Everyone was so concerned with Putin and Russia's advantage with a Trump presidency. Now it is becoming apparent that all rogue nations like China, North Korea and Iran will all benefit from Trump. We will soon be the laughing stock of the world. If only it was not so serious.
I cannot believe that I am actually missing GWB. He had many flaws, but I never questioned his patriotism and dedication to the USA.
I cannot believe that I am actually missing GWB. He had many flaws, but I never questioned his patriotism and dedication to the USA.
"China remains far less powerful than the United States."
Is there another "China" we don't know about?
Is there another "China" we don't know about?
18
Militrily is is less powerful. However economically, well the differences are not so great. The US has a real income of $18 trillion with China having an income of $12 trillion. However, in terms of purchasing power, China's economy exceeds that of the US. In addition, it is growing at a much faster pace. By 2027 China's economy in real terms will surpass that of the US. The Chinese believe in education. The US doesn't really. This is especially the case with republicans, who are openly hostile to education, especially science education. They consider education "a liberal thing". Low cognitive ability/intelligence predicts republican/conservative attitudes, so you can see why republicans tend to be religious (also associated with low IQ) and poor education.
China are unencumbered by religion, embrace education and science education. And they work very hard. So China's domination is inevitable.
China are unencumbered by religion, embrace education and science education. And they work very hard. So China's domination is inevitable.
18
DD,
In real life, Republicans are (on average) smarter and better educated than Democrats. See "Party Affiliation, IQ, Political Knowledge, and Formal Education"
"Everyone likes to think that people of their political persuasion are smarter and wiser than their ideological opponents. Reality, however, has no such biases, and in reality Republicans and smarter than Democrats and know more about politics.
That republicans are smarter than democrats was shown by (Carl 2014). This paper utilized decades worth of data on representative samples of Americans collected by the General Social Survey. It showed that self identified Republicans score higher on intelligence tests than self identified Democrats. Moreover, the stronger participants identified with their party the larger the intelligence gap between Republicans and Democrats was."
"It is also worth noting that Republicans remain smarter than Democrats even when only looking at whites. Because of this, the higher intelligence of Republicans cannot be explained by ethnic differences between the parties."
The reference to science and the Republicans is funny. Democrats can't even admit that humans are mammals and like other mammals have two sexes. By rejecting Biology, the Democrats have made themselves the anti-science party. See "Men Are Stronger Than Women (On Average)" by Razib Kahn.
In real life, Republicans are (on average) smarter and better educated than Democrats. See "Party Affiliation, IQ, Political Knowledge, and Formal Education"
"Everyone likes to think that people of their political persuasion are smarter and wiser than their ideological opponents. Reality, however, has no such biases, and in reality Republicans and smarter than Democrats and know more about politics.
That republicans are smarter than democrats was shown by (Carl 2014). This paper utilized decades worth of data on representative samples of Americans collected by the General Social Survey. It showed that self identified Republicans score higher on intelligence tests than self identified Democrats. Moreover, the stronger participants identified with their party the larger the intelligence gap between Republicans and Democrats was."
"It is also worth noting that Republicans remain smarter than Democrats even when only looking at whites. Because of this, the higher intelligence of Republicans cannot be explained by ethnic differences between the parties."
The reference to science and the Republicans is funny. Democrats can't even admit that humans are mammals and like other mammals have two sexes. By rejecting Biology, the Democrats have made themselves the anti-science party. See "Men Are Stronger Than Women (On Average)" by Razib Kahn.
Brown Dog wrote: "Is there another "China" we don't know about?"
Yes, it's the omnipotent one that exists only in your quailing imagination.
Yes, it's the omnipotent one that exists only in your quailing imagination.