China Threatens Trump With "Big Sticks" If He Wages A Trade War

Zero Hedge ^ | 01/05/2017

[SeekAndFind]

In the latest not too subtle threat lobbed by China's official press aimed at Donald Trump, the mainland media warned the President-elect that he’ll be met with "big sticks" if he tries to ignite a trade war or further strain ties.

"There are flowers around the gate of China’s Ministry of Commerce, but there are also big sticks hidden inside the door -- they both await Americans," the Communist Party’s Global Times newspaper wrote in an editorial Thursday in response to Trump’s plans to nominate lawyer Robert Lighthizer, who has criticized Beijing’s trade practices, as U.S. trade representative.

The latest lashing out at Trump from a state-run outlet, noticed first by Bloomberg, followed others last month aimed at Peter Navarro, a University of California at Irvine economics professor and critic of China’s trade practices whom Trump last month named to head a newly formed White House National Trade Council. Those picks plus billionaire Wilbur Ross, the nominee for commerce secretary, will form an "iron curtain" of protectionism in Trump’s economic and trade team, the paper wrote.

The three share Trump’s strong anti-globalization beliefs and seem unlikely to keep building the current trade order, it said, adding that they will be more interested in disrupting the world trade order.

Concurrently, SCMP reported that China’s state media have lambasted US president-elect Donald Trump for commenting on and conducting foreign policy on Twitter. The state-run news agency Xinhua ran a signed commentary headlined “Addiction to Twitter diplomacy is unwise” late on Tuesday night.

The article came after Trump fired another salvo at China through Twitter on Tuesday, accusing Beijing of refusing to help contain North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.

Trump first questioned in a tweet North Korea’s claims that it was in the final stages of testing a ballistic missile capable of reaching American soil. He later tweeted: “China has been taking out massive amounts of money & wealth from the US in totally one-sided trade, but won’t help with North Korea. Nice!”

The Xinhua commentary said Trump’s use of Twitter had aroused widespread concern among US politicians and academics.

For now China appears to have fallen off Trump's radar, and instead over the past few days the president-elect has been focusing on the ongoing Russian hacking fiasco as well as slamming "head clown" Chuck Schumer for the mess that is Obamacare.

[CodeToad]

They can try, but China needs the USA right now. They are doing much better than 25 years ago, but their economy depends on everyone else right now. They still are not entirely self sufficient.

[rktman]

Uh, hey china. That worked with the lyin’ king. DJT? Not so much.

[Awgie]

China is not accustomed to an America with a spine.

[rb22982]

What stick? They’ve already been selling UST and dollar reserves like crazy to prevent monetary flight out of China from the wealthy. Unless they are threatening war, they don’t have a stick. We import 5:1 compared to export to China.

[RoseofTexas]

Fine..we’ll just become more competitive make our own stuff and flip them the finger!! Easy FIX!! Anyway their stuff is junk!! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!!

[CincyRichieRich]

Oh boy, so many jokes so little time...

Plastic, made in China sticks? Guaranteed to last just a couple weeks?

[Gay State Conservative]

China needs us far,far,far more then we need them.A trade war would be tough for us....devastating for them.

[exit82]

There would be a revolt in the worker’s paradise if America was not China’s biggest customer.

Things were going to come to a head sooner or later with China.

China was banking on a weak and corrupt DC pol to be representing our side.

[Dr. Sivana]

We import 5:1 compared to export to China.

And don't forget all of the intellectual property they have stolen during the MFN/"Normal" era.

[ThunderSleeps]

There are other options besides “made in china” cra... er, “stuff.” So China, where else are you going to dump your “stuff” if we find or create other alternatives right here at home? Methinks they are bluffing. Someone in a strong position doesn’t have to threaten.

[dp0622]

Yeah, they’re rocking right along with TWO HUNDRED percent Debt to GDP.

They need us more than we need them.

As for the “big stick”, no comment.

[Mariner]

I have a hard time understanding how a country who runs a $400-$700 billion surplus with the US every year could possibly hurt us.

What are they going to do...quit buying our stuff?

Sell all the treasuries they hold, the most valuable on the market?

[yldstrk]

folk China

[rfreedom4u]

Chop sticks?

[dfwddr]

Someone in a strong position doesn’t have to threaten.

That is exactly what I was thinking as I was reading this.

[oldasrocks]

Me thinks china pick fight with wrong person. Do not try using stick on person who carries big club.

[yldstrk]

the Chinese are ridiculous and mean

[ought-six]

F**k you, China. China is the biggest IP thief the world has ever known.