Donald Trump, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin: Three reasons why humanity is in trouble – Jim Duffy

As China flexes its muscles, Donald Trump needs an enemy to boost his flagging re-election hopes, writes Jim Duffy.

Activists of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spray black paint on a poster depicting Chinese President Xi Jinping during a protest in Amritsar after an India-China border clash that left 20 troops dead (Picture: Narinder Nanu/AFP via Getty Images)

Place your bets! Place your bets! Just what on Earth is gonna happen now on planet Earth?

Well, it is fair to say that we have the worst set of leaders ever since the term ‘leadership’ was invented.

Putin in Russia is essentially installing himself as the anointed one who shall never be removed. His grip on power is palpable. What an operator and smart guy he is – so long as it makes him richer and more powerful.

He has the army, the bankers, the oligarchs, the press and almost anything else that is important to keep him pump-primed on the throne. He shows no sign of wanting to start big costly wars and while he adds to his billions, why would he? He knows the consequences. So, nothing to fear here as we battle on through a pandemic. God bless capitalism.

What about China? How do you feel about this communist country that relies on capitalism to feed its thirst for economic and hegemonic global power?

It’s all bit topsy-turvy when it comes to China. As the new engine of the world it creates, copies, manufactures, delivers and sells goods and services on a vast scale. China is a most important piece in the global financial cogs that keep the money flowing – mostly inwards to China.

It is building a vast naval fleet and has eyes on America on how to extend power via aircraft carriers. The South China Sea could be a major flashpoint as the USA patrols the area with its ships and submarines. But, there is a lot more.

Other ways to wage war

Apart from ‘exporting’ Covid-19, China is way ahead on technology. Just look at how sad the UK plc is at having to buy its communication technology from Chinese companies. Only this week, China launched the final satellite that gives it its own version of world maps, geo-location and a whole lot more. Reliant on no-one eh?

Did you know that China manufactures 100 per cent of the diabetic medication for the whole of the USA? Some 800,000 Americans wake up each day and consume meds made in China.

It is estimated that the US only has an eight-week supply at any one time. And let’s not mention that the Apple device you may be using is also “assembled in China”. So as you can see, China has many fingers in many global pies. Perhaps too many for some.

It may have a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons, but who really wants to use these things now when there are so many other ways to wage war in this technological age? And Australia is feeling the sharp edge of that right now. The Australian Prime Minister has accused China of a recent sustained cyber attack. Australia most definitely blames China for Covid-19 and wants transparency and answers on what went wrong.

China, in response to such rhetoric, apparently turns on the bad tech or “death ray” that can cripple whole countries. How very James Bond villain-like. But nevertheless, unnerving and dangerous. Yes for me, China presents some issues that could cause global damage as it asserts it power and ambition.

Trump needs an enemy

But there is one state that ain’t having any of it. There is one man that is standing up to China. And that is President Donald Trump. “Four more years!”

Well, to be fair to Mr Trump, it is not just him alone that is taking aim at China. America feels threatened, a bit like it did after 9/11. Its cities were locked down and it looked fragile. And this is not how the USA likes to be perceived. As the ‘world’s policeman’, the USA needs to be seen to make the plays and also be the referee. And China is getting in the way.

Mr Trump this week at a rally was scathing in his remarks on China. His comments on the coronavirus were viewed by some as inflammatory, derogatory and downright racist.

He used the term “Kung Flu” as he spoke of Covid-19 as China’s flu. And while many of us might recoil at such language, there is a growing feeling in the USA that what is happening to it is less a quirk of nature at a wet market in Wuhan and more a direct attack on its economy. China is very much in its sights. And this is actually where the next global trouble may spring from.

Like him or loathe him, Mr Trump has another six months in power – at least. Those behind the scenes in military power and the intelligence services know all too well what the consequences are of getting things wrong. So, they will almost always be proactive so nothing bad happens on their watch. And Mr Trump is the ideal ‘America First’ kinda guy to listen to their concerns and act. And act he will.

Of course, he can belittle China – or rather himself – by using ‘racist’ language. But he has a lot more at his fingertips. Do not underestimate the strength of the American dollar. Tariffs on Chinese goods may be extended and strengthened to put pressure on Beijing. Hong Kong is teetering on the edge as its economy is pegged to the US dollar. What a bargaining chip for Trump. And countries like the UK are considering using Chinese tech in their communications infrastructure not to mention building new nuclear power stations. If Trump and the USA strong-arms the UK, it will capitulate and China will lose.

I think it is fair to say that over the next six months we will see the next chapter in ‘global warfare’ play out in the USA as it re-challenges China to once again show it is the world’s ‘head boy’.

And President Trump needs an enemy to make America great again…

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