The first shot at China

While we were in the EU we did have some autonomy. Now that we are out, we have to rely on the USA. That is why, what they say we have to do. We are slowly becoming the 51st state (McDonalds, Starbucks...) if not already.
 
I'm certainly no economist but surely 'debt' on a global scale only exists with the borrower's consent? If China call in their debt and the 'west' refuse to pay then what are they going to do? Send a high court enforcement agent to no10/the Whitehouse?
I agree, if you had a vested interest in a global capitalist economy and made decisions based on personal gain, you wouldn't want to rock the boat to that extent.
However if you are governed by a different ideology, and wanted to gradually weaken a system based on the circulation of debt, wouldn't it make sense to squeeze a little, apply a little pressure here and there to weaken an ideology already in disrepute and one opposed in every way to your own?
I'm not educated enough of intelligent enough to see through all the permutations but if you take a big step back and look at this from a global historical basis it's fascinating.
Who knows what will come of it. ( edited)
 
It's odd because during his speech yesterday Pompeo said it wasn't as simple as choosing sides.

I do believe though it's about keeping America as the defacto leader of the free world. Which in a choice between them and a totalitarian regime ran by the CCP I'm choosing freedom.
Well if US are leaders of the free world and China aren't part of the free world,why do you need to make a choice? No need for these divisive actions from the western powers.
Too much aggression - look where that's got the world.
 
The EU jumps to America's tune.
The EU really doesn't, that's why it has different food standards, different vehicle emission standards, differing views on tax evasion etc. etc.

Remember TTIP, didn't happen largely because the EU didn't need to bow down to the US. The EU is approaching the US in GDP, it is a threat to the US position as the leading economy which is why Trump is pro-Brexit
 
The EU really doesn't, that's why it has different food standards, different vehicle emission standards, differing views on tax evasion etc. etc.

Remember TTIP, didn't happen largely because the EU didn't need to bow down to the US. The EU is approaching the US in GDP, it is a threat to the US position as the leading economy which is why Trump is pro-Brexit
It does when it comes to military action....



Which is where this is inevitably leading. The yanks love a bit of argy bargy.
 
The UK has always toed the american military line, nothing to do with leaving the EU. That is why we ended up in Iraq when most other EU members were dead against it.

As for China being an existential threat, yes of course it is, but then so is Russia.

On one final point I despise the term "Leaders of the free world" The USA is more at the behest of big business than anywhere else on the planet, by the people and for the people has not been true for decades.

Check the USA out on league tables for anything from literacy to healthcare and they are behind most other wealthy nations.
 
It does when it comes to military action....



Which is where this is inevitably leading. The yanks love a bit of argy bargy.
europeans get 'urged' to join in with american campaigns. The reality is, as the EU and US economies gained parity over the last 15 years, the EU didn't need to join in under political-economic pressure.
 
It seems China is a bit of a hero on here.
First the great leap Forward, then the cultural Revolution, today Hong Kong and the re education of the Muslim minority.

At a rough guess, 300 million dead.

It's easy to be pro Chinese sat in your 4 bedroomed house watching the BBC.

The following countries have been at war with the UK in some people's life time, Germany, Austria, Finland. most of the Slavic countries, Argentina Japan, not sure about Norway.

The only English speaking country I can think of is Ireland and it's military intelligence assistance to Germany.

Give me the US every day of the week.
 
Last edited:
I'm certainly no economist but surely 'debt' on a global scale only exists with the borrower's consent? If China call in their debt and the 'west' refuse to pay then what are they going to do? Send a high court enforcement agent to no10/the Whitehouse?
I am an economist. China's considerable holdings of US government bonds give it very little leverage. They can't 'call them in'; they can hold them until redemption (in $us) and spend them, or they can sell them, thus depressing their price and the value of China's remaining $ holdings. A $ sell-off would reduce the $/Yuan exchange rate and therefore China's competitiveness. It is very much a double-edged sword.
 
I am an economist. China's considerable holdings of US government bonds give it very little leverage. They can't 'call them in'; they can hold them until redemption (in $us) and spend them, or they can sell them, thus depressing their price and the value of China's remaining $ holdings. A $ sell-off would reduce the $/Yuan exchange rate and therefore China's competitiveness. It is very much a double-edged sword.
Just shows how honourable is the good ol' USA!
Remember the invasion of Iraq + never mind Vietnam et Al.
 
Australia has notified China and the United Nations that it rejects all of China's territorial claims in the the South China Sea and considers all such claims as unlawful under international law.

Will be interesting to see how Australia climbs out of a recession with no Chinese money coming in when China cuts them off.
 
Back
Top