- cross-posted to:
- politics@lemmy.world
- cross-posted to:
- politics@lemmy.world
- China’s finance ministry on Friday said it will impose a 34% tariff on all goods imported from the U.S. starting on April 10.
- The ministry criticized Washington’s decision to impose 34% of additional reciprocal levies on China — bringing total U.S. tariffs against the country to 54% — as “inconsistent with international trade rules.”
- U.S. stock futures and European markets fell sharply on news of the reciprocal tariffs.
I mean China has stated over and over and responded over and over in a way that states China would not willingly become a dominant force. China’s whole thing is they only care about their country and their people and what ever happens in the world it’s not their business.
But here’s some historical examples for what I’m talking about.
Ukraine Russian war. Yes, China sells drone parts and machinery to Russia. That’s constantly talked about as if this is absolute proof that China is supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine. However, Ukraine is just as dependent on these parts and machinery as Russia is. So by that logic, China is supporting Ukraine in the war.
Myanmar. Is currently in a massive civil war. Myanmar is completely under China’s sphere of influence to the point where no external actor is willing to interfere. Yet China is willing to just let the people do whatever they feel is right. Even though it’s literally causing a genocide in the nation.
Sudan. Basically the same as Myanmar. Though an interesting side story to this is Sudan had Chinese tanks that South Sudan did not. Those tanks absolutely crushed the T-72 tanks that South Sudan has. Though that kind of went sideways because South Sudan simply avoided the tanks and attacked in other areas. But if anyone is wondering, yes China’s military equipment far out paces Russia.
Vietnam. After the Sino-Vietnam war, China controlled about 20% of Vietnam. They declared victory and then told the Vietnam government that they respect their sovereignty and just simply left. It was the last war that China ever committed itself to.
Ultimately, China’s whole rise to power is one of completely unwillingness to get involved in anything. It’s one of the reasons no one respects China as a super power. However, with USA doing what it’s doing, it by default goes to China. I don’t know what it means ultimately, but at least for the near future, China is going to allow insane genocide in so much of the world. Something that USA would have gone to war over. They won’t be dominant, but are you sure that’s what you want?
Yeah, from my understanding China is only interested in it’s own self growth. While the Belt and Road initiative has certainly been beneficial for the global south, especially when compared to Neo-colonialism via the IMF and World Bank, it’s still ultimately for China’s sake. They have no interest in promoting Chinese style Communism to other countries, at least currently. Whether that will change or not I don’t know. Their current military aid towards the perpetuators of genocide in those conflicts is absolutely unacceptable.
What I want is an international organization where everyone has a vote and no one has a veto, where international law can actually be implemented instead of ignored. Where human rights violations documented by Amnesty International, HRW, Euro-Med Monitor, ect will be materially addressed by the global community regardless of who’s committing the violations. To that end, I oppose all Imperialism, Colonialism, and Neo-colonialism.
I mean China sells to both sides. They don’t really give aid in the traditional way. It’s just about money. But yeah, it’s pretty messed up just in a completely different way than what the west does.
And I agree with your ideals, but sadly that’s definitely not happening in our lifetimes.