The military might of the People's Republic of China was on full display in a parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two on Wednesday. Thousands of miles away, at the White House in Washington DC, Donald Trump was paying attention. 'They were hoping I was watching, and I was watching,' he said. The American president didn't elaborate on his thoughts about the massive celebration at Tiananmen Square, noting only that it was 'very, very impressive'.
This display of military strength sends a clear message: China is asserting itself as a significant global power and is providing a fresh alternative to the existing American-led order. Amidst this backdrop, Trump's response has ranged from ambivalence to concern regarding the potential implications for U.S. trade policies.
In a Tuesday podcast, Trump downplayed the parade, stating he was 'not concerned' about China's show of force. However, he later voiced frustrations on social media, lamenting that China fails to acknowledge America's contributions during World War II. This military demonstration coincided with increasing cooperation among nations like China, Russia, and India—a coalition that could be galvanizing in reaction to Trump's 'America First' trade stance.
As Trump embraces a radical approach to U.S. trade and economy, promising to usher in a 'second American golden age', the risks seem to be growing. Recent judicial challenges to his tariff policies add uncertainty, suggesting that his ambitions might not align with the evolving international political landscape. China's military parade is not just a nationalistic spectacle; it symbolizes the shifting tides of global power amid Trump's high-stakes gamble on trade.
This display of military strength sends a clear message: China is asserting itself as a significant global power and is providing a fresh alternative to the existing American-led order. Amidst this backdrop, Trump's response has ranged from ambivalence to concern regarding the potential implications for U.S. trade policies.
In a Tuesday podcast, Trump downplayed the parade, stating he was 'not concerned' about China's show of force. However, he later voiced frustrations on social media, lamenting that China fails to acknowledge America's contributions during World War II. This military demonstration coincided with increasing cooperation among nations like China, Russia, and India—a coalition that could be galvanizing in reaction to Trump's 'America First' trade stance.
As Trump embraces a radical approach to U.S. trade and economy, promising to usher in a 'second American golden age', the risks seem to be growing. Recent judicial challenges to his tariff policies add uncertainty, suggesting that his ambitions might not align with the evolving international political landscape. China's military parade is not just a nationalistic spectacle; it symbolizes the shifting tides of global power amid Trump's high-stakes gamble on trade.
