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.

[volunbeer]

Well stated - our debt to GDP is nothing to brag about. While it would be easier for us to correct ours due to a more diversified economy. They have an advantage in that they can go back to their totalitarian roots and they don’t have a social welfare system that bleeds the treasury nor do they worry as much about “public opinion.”

[Teacher317]

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

We are 18% of China's exports. They are 9% of our imports (surprisingly low, I assumed it would be higher). Neither one would drop to zero, but neither figure is insurmountable. Chinese citizens are enjoying their new wealth, but they are also among the best savers on earth, and would not be as devastated as we would by a similar drop in income.

China, however, also holds a large amount of our debt.

Wars are never a thing to be eager to start, even trade wars. It would be beyond foolish for us to be so eager to rattle our sabres back at them more than necessary. I like that he is showing spine, but I hope he also knows how to moderate it.

[fivecatsandadog]

Exactly how many ICBMs do we have left now (before Obama gives them to the Palestinians)?

[dragnet2]

Like many others, the Communist Chinese will have to find out the hard way.

[Boogieman]

[CodeToad]

” nor do they worry as much about “public opinion.””

I’m laughing but sad to say, you’re right. They could care less if 100 million Chinese starve. “Economy tanked. Nuts. OK.”

[CodeToad]

“I like that he is showing spine, but I hope he also knows how to moderate it. “

Did you ask them of China? I mean, the reason we import more than they do is because they forbid it. It is NOT a free economy between us.

No one ever tells China to moderate their trade war rhetoric.

[rockinqsranch]

“.....will form an “iron curtain” of protectionism in Trump’s economic and trade team, the paper wrote.”

WOW! The Democrats have pushed their talking points off on the PRC.(Hmmmmmm....wondering if the PRC didn’t buy the DNC.)

[metmom]

Go ahead.

Try it and see how it works out for you.

[CodeToad]

“They can’t do anything with them. Period.”

How’s that? There are countless shipping vessels. You don’t need gray and tough looking to sail the seas. We used all kinds of vessels to get to Europe in 1942.

They also have enough manufacturing to turn out massive amounts of arms, which, BTW, is the same manufacturing our own military uses for some of our most sensitive and critical equipment. Yes, that’s right, China produces many of our chips that we use in our communications, satellites, missile, and various weapon systems.

Anyone in the US to try to pick a fight with China is like whacking your pecker with a hammer to get over a girl.

[dp0622]

if we count future liabilities, maybe 1000 percent?

Japan, China, us, others...WTH?!?!

This is bad.

[Grimmy]

I don’t disagree with you.

My only point in commenting so far has been the “oh mah gosh! they’s gots so many!!!” fearmongering re: China that’s been all the rage since the original cold war wonks got pumped out of various ivory tower mental institutions.

China doesn’t want a war with us. We don’t want a war with China. Neither side has anything at all to gain from war.

But, we need to stop with the tired old gross overestimation of our various enemy/opponents based on bulls*** spreadsheets of stuff that is either completely irrelevant or exists only in the imaginations of the devotees to the cult of cowardice.

[central_va]

I buy a lot of car parts. I have never bought a quality Chinese after market car part. It is all junk. I now HAVE to go to the dealer and get reamed because of globalism.

It's a shame because a few decades ago American made aftermarket car parts were plentiful and of high OEM quality. That's all ended.

[central_va]

Would you prefer zipperhead?

[jurroppi1]

no, melamine made in china sticks that are guaranteed to probably last a few whacks - most likely.

[dragnet2]

That’s right. Under real U.S. leadership, China knows using them would be a really stupid final action. That’s the beauty of nukes.

[dragnet2]

Yep, only use Communist Chinese car parts if it’s not being installed on your personal car.

[central_va]

A few caveats concerning aftermarket car parts. Japanese aftermarket car parts are good if your car is Japanese. Taiwan makes some decent parts but you have to be careful. Korea forget it. German car parts are outstanding but expensive. USA made car parts, if you can find them, are good. Specify OEM.

[WellyP]

Three Gorges Dam! The Three Gorges Dam is located in the inland of China,which is an important civil facility. It has strong carrying capacity,the corresponding military protection,and dam strength is very large.

No. According to the vice president of the Three Gorges Dam Construction Committee, the dam can survive in a nuke strike under 3M tons of TNT equivalent. POP!