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Trump plays to win and he played the winning hand in the tit-for-tat tariff trade war with China.
Six days ago, when asked, Trump said he would continue his trade war with China even if the US was hit with a recession, which he didn’t believe would happen because the US was “very far” from a recession. This was not a bluff; this was Trump holding his nerve in an international dispute relayed to the public by a mostly disapproving media.
A couple of days ago, our media panicked when they realised that Trump playing hardball with China had triggered indicators of a global recession which could reach us.
Subsequently, the media pounced on Trump’s admission of culpability for the decline in financial markets and were happy to report that Trump admitted his regret.
“US President Donald Trump has for the first time expressed regret that his trade war with China had spiraled into an international quagmire, answering “yes” when a reporter asked if he regretted the way things had played out.
Asked if he was rethinking the way things had escalated into severe economic penalties between the two countries, Trump responded “Yeah, sure why not. Might as well. Might as well. I have second thoughts about everything.”
A newspaper
Media unfailingly misinterpret Trump when they view him as either a stupid buffoon or a greedy ogre, when he is neither of these.
“In recent days, China slapped new tariffs on US goods, and Trump responded by jacking up tariff rates on more than $500 billion in Chinese goods.These actions have rattled investors and stoked fears that a prolonged standoff could lead to a global recession.
But Trump showed no willingness to back down, saying “it has to happen.” He accused China of unfair trade practices that he said had to be addressed through tough US measures, no matter the cost.”
If Trump really had felt regret, he would most certainly have backed down. The fact that he didn’t do that, confirms he has no regret for taking a firm stance with China. Media, once again, do not understand Trump and, once again, misconstrue him.
Barely 24 hours later China caved into Trump’s demands which had sent Asian markets crumbling and China’s currency plummeting to an 11 year low.
“Trump said Monday that officials from China called U.S. officials and expressed interest to “get back to the table,” The Wall Street Journal reported. He called the discussions a “very positive development.”
“They want to make a deal. That’s a great thing,” he said.”
In response, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He told a state-controlled newspaper on Monday that “China is willing to resolve its trade dispute with the United States through calm negotiations and resolutely opposes the escalation of the conflict,” Reuters first reported, citing a transcript of his remarks provided by the Chinese government. Liu is China’s top trade negotiator.”
Fox News
Trump unrelentingly squeezed China in the tit-for-tat tariff war, but took no pleasure in China’s accompanying financial distress – in fact, quite the opposite. Trump acutely felt their pain but this does not mean he regrets his actions, it just means that, contrary to media belief, Trump is human and he empathised.
Trump knows no deal can be made without negotiation; which is totally dependent on good working relationships. Trump cultivates these relationships well before he actually needs them. Access to a listening ear is the best way to avoid conflict, but when conflict is inevitable, a decent working relationship will open discussion again – as was demonstrated when the Chinese agreed to again sit down with Trump.
Back in February President Xi sent this message to Trump.
“Not too long ago, you sent to me a special letter of festive greetings, together with the lovely video made for me and my wife by your grandchildren on the Chinese Lunar New Year. We enjoyed the performance greatly and were happy to see that the little ones have kept improving in their Chinese. We watched the video more than once and feel that we must (inaudible) for these adorable grandchildren of yours.”
White House Briefing
Trump stands head and shoulders above other politicians in his ability to forge warm friendships with political world leaders who might otherwise become harsh adversaries.
In the China dispute, Trump was the iron hand in the velvet glove, regretting the financial suffering inflicted on China, but knowing he had to push hard for the best result for the US while relying on maintaining his good working relationship with China. Job well done, Donald Trump.
