The Guardian: The Xi Jinping-Trump confrontation… only one will emerge victorious
The Guardian newspaper published an article regarding Xi Jinping’s preparing for a showdown with Donald Trump – in a duel that will leave only one victor.
The anticipated meeting later this month between US President Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.
He said that the race between the United States and China for hegemony in the 21st century is witnessing rapid progress on the part of the Chinese president, supported by Trump’s strategic mistakes.
The heated debate in the United States and Britain about the goals of China, and whether Beijing is an enemy or an investment opportunity.
The article saw the Chinese president offering a straightforward answer: China’s strengthening of control over global exports of rare earths and magnets, in a manner resembling a monopoly, is a deliberately harmful act carried out by a hostile power.
These materials, whose exports China monopolizes globally, are essential for the manufacture of most electronic devices, including phones and cars.
More seriously, however, rare earth products are used in the manufacture of cruise missiles, fighter jets, nuclear submarines, drones, and other modern weapons systems.
New Chinese laws prohibit the use of these materials for any military purpose, prompting Western governments to seek alternatives.
This Chinese ban takes effect next month, it will impact Western weapons supplies to Ukraine against Russia, China’s ally.
China, also seeks to control the use of these materials by establishing institutions outside China and overseas to manufacture them—following the example of the United States, which has been doing similar things since 1959.
This brings Beijing into confrontation with Washington on a path the latter began decades ago – using trade as a weapon for political purposes.
Trump was extremely angry when China announced these new measures, threatening to impose 100% tariffs and cancel his upcoming meeting with his Chinese counterpart.
However, amid the panic that this caused in the markets, Trump was forced to back down.
However, trade sanctions imposed by both countries against each other continue, raising fears of a global economic recession.
According to the article, Trump, as usual, proceeds without a plan and has no idea what he’s doing, unlike Xi Jinping, who seems determined to confront his US counterpart if the latter insists on a comprehensive trade war.
Beijing is taking note of the fact that Trump’s “America First” policies have marginalized both old and new allies, creating a vacuum that China could fill.
While the United States is declining, China is advancing under the leadership of Xi Jinping, who seems determined to place his country at the forefront of the world.
