China could have had its commerce going had it remained only in furthering its commercial interests and making life better for Chinese people like most of other nations. But commercial, and even scientific superiority was only a minor part of its aspirations. China wants world dominance and for this, it will crush any in its way. It has encircled India especially after the coup in Myanmar. China's artificial islands in the Pacific is old story which the world has already begun to forget. Memories fade with time and fait accompli is achieved.
Tom Cotton has made great contribution to this most importanat topic and since he is our voice in the government, it should be heard loud and clear.
As he rightly points out it is essential a great deal of decoupling is needed, and there is great need to reshape the conversation. When China was ushered by US into this new business arrangment that turned out to be great for China resulted in the loss of jobs and manufacturing facilities in the USA. This began to deteriorate. China with oney in its pockets began to use all its guns blazing and made a terrific impact.
President Trump was right on the money when he said, enough is enough. He not only recognized the problem, he was quick to react. But that is old story.
China fortified its position and began looking outwards for resources it lacks. For example, it recognised the importance of lithium, the element used in powerful magnets used in all kinds of industrial end products. Now China is limiting its export, or its excavation. What is more, US ships its meager lithium ore to be processed in China. In the processs of looking for resources it lacks, China started repurposing its old dream of World hegemony. It's presence in the world has been impactful for its brazeness. It has more friends in UN than others. It has most business dealingss with the EU than the USA.
The critics of Tom Cotton, mostly from the US universities that have commented seems to approve Toms' evaluation of the fact that lithium sources and its production must be protected. China in the most recent times wants to monopolize this element Li. This is nothing compared to the irreparable damage to its neighbors, the Uighyrs, the Taiwanese, the Indians, the Tibetans and the others. I am surprised that the University based critics just picked just one issue of lithium. There are other problems like those with Australia and its neighbors; and its refusal to answer the virus related questions.
Tom Cotton's critics view that Tom's vision is not easy to achieve unless some less painful way (to US Economy) to do the un-coupling is found. It need not be done in a day, but it can be done with enough time. However, doing it with our allies will extend it to a very distant future, as EU has already obligated itself to China in many ways. Going along with them all the way, it would take a long time and probably will not work. Further more Biden appears to have softened his stance reading from a recent townhall event.
Yes, it is painful if we engage aggressively, but as the famous, popular saying goes, no pain, no gain.
No comments:
Post a Comment