This headline describes the world which is currently out of its joints. The US, more precisely, President Donald Trump, whose leadership is swaying away is in the mood of burning Rome and the dismissal of Rex Tillerson is a clear indication of this. Trump who is unburying the hatchet, in the process of forming a war council around him.
In reality, Trump is impersonating the role assigned to him by the US deep state, just like previous instances. Therefore, the current attitude of Trump is non-surprising. The inevitable rise of China and the re-organisation of the European Union (EU) by France-Germany partnership has pushed the US to pursue a new quest and utilise different methods.
In fact, Trump has asserted that the fundamental issue of the US is its economy during his election campaign and inaugural speech. He also referred to China as an opponent of the US.
Trump pointed out that the most significant threat to US national security is the effect of China on the economy. It was later understood that Germany, was also seen as a threat as a need trade war began.
A Trade War initiated with Steel and Aluminium
Immediately after Trump announced that he would bring additional customs duties to imported steel and aluminium, many countries, especially China warned Washington of possible consequences. For instance, the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned that “global trade will suffer” if similar measures are increased and called upon the US “to act moderately regarding the use of commercial protection instruments”, while the Chinese Ministry of Commerce accused Trump of harming the international trade system.
Zhang Yesui, the spokesperson of China’s National Peoples’ Congress, took a step further and indicated that China does not seek an economic war with the US, however, if the economy is harmed, necessary actions will be taken.
Such revulsions were not limited to China. Germany, the EU, Australia, Canada, Brazil and Mexico voiced their concerns too. The German Foreign Minister, Sigmar Gabriel, indicated that German and European producers “did not cause unfair competition by lowering prices” and called upon Donald Trump to “reconsider” his decision. Meanwhile, Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the EU Commission stated that such move would put thousands of European workers at risk.
The repercussion of Gabriel and Juncker were not limited to the statements mentioned above. Gabriel, who invited Trump to contemplation, asserted that if the US insists on proceeding with the plan, its “mistake will not be accepted” and called on the EU to respond, “with determination”. Juncker’s statement of “We will not sit idle while our industry endures unfair measures. The EU will consider what is necessary to defend its interests” are a direct addition to Gabriel’s comments.
However, the warnings were hardly taken into consideration by Trump who on March 9th signed a decree that pegged a 25 percent and 10 percent customs tariff on imported steel and aluminium respectively. With duties in place, attention has once against turned towards China and the EU.
The US Needs a Grandeur War!
The current trade war has been ongoing for a quite long time. To put it more concretely, the US will continue to engage China by encircling and sabotaging its projects with terror. Developments in Myanmar, Kashmir, East Turkestan and Afghanistan will come to prominence in the forthcoming days.
From US viewpoint this is the final opportunity, and this is why it is necessitating a war with China as it struggles to in withholding global hegemony. For instance, the UK, which was appraised as the “leader of the EU” during the Cold War era, has eventually pulled away from this duty and is currently trying to establish its scheme. Hence, Washington’s EU policy is nothing but a lame duck and France and Germany, the central pillars of the EU could push the US into political-security severe crisis, which the White House is eventually aware.
The US is conscious of the bitter consequences that could occur in the Pacific if it yields in Europe. On the other hand, China and Russia are cognisant of US’s Achilles heel. While China is contradicting the EU especially the UK through its One Road One Belt Initiative, Russia has put forth it’s crude power against the US.
Therefore, the US could pursue a war to keep possession of Europe as it is impossible to win the battle of the Pacific without EU’s support. Moreover, once the “One Road Project” is completed, US-based maritime power will be dealt a great blow, which in return could lead to the US becoming the “unwanted” entity around the globe.
In short, US policy after September 11 is facing severe crises and impediments, and Washington is aware that this scheme cannot continue further. The only way to overcome the impasse is a grandeur war. This is also the underlying reason for the policy change in Syria and Trump is willing to conclude Obama’s unfinished business.
In conclusion, the US deep-state is once again coming up with new schemes that will freshly alter the world order.
