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Monica's avatar

The headline "Trump Screws _____ for __*____" could be applied to just about every one of his actions, just fill in the blanks.

*Hint: some common options for the 2nd blank are 'self-interest', 'vengeance', 'greed', 'distraction'... so many to choose from!

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Shelfie's avatar

Because Trump is desperate to achieve his triumphant tariff "deal" with China he throws Taiwan under the bus. This should come as no surprise to anyone. Taiwan is our most important chip supplier? OK, but can't we manufacture chips here? His shortsighted assumption, obviously. But beyond that, we must admit we have never been committed to any kind of exercise to protect Taiwan from a takeover assault by China. Never. Trump is simply revealing the awful truth: China is the colossus we must deal with. Taiwan is the beautiful, tiny democratic island whose defiance against the China's Imperialist appetite we have admired. But when push comes to shove, we make the "sensible" tactical choice for ourselves: China, the undisputed mega power. Taiwan will have to fend for itself. Trump is just admitting the sad embarrassing truth.

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Dave Yell's avatar

What are the chances that China moves on Taiwan before the end of Trump's term? Much higher than waiting around for the next president.

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jen's avatar

GAZA is starving.

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Debra K's avatar

As a physician, I have a different view on China and COVID. US epidemiologists were in contact with China about concerns in December 2019 and January 2020. China released the genome of SARS-CoV2 to the world as soon as they figured it out, which meant all countries could start to make COVID tests and begin vaccine development. Trump mishandled all this information and slow walked the US response. We did not have adequate testing and Trump tried to minimize it. In February, Trump gagged and threatened to fire CDC staff who tried to warn and inform the public. Evolutionary virologists still strongly believe and have evidence for a natural origin of the virus and do not think the data are consistent with a “lab leak.”

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Ana's avatar
Jul 29Edited

Can you please start just calling him “the President” or “Trump”. Every time I hear “Donald Trump” I throw up a little bit in my throat. I am old enough to remember “The Donald” days…. uuugghhh

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Kentuckistan's avatar

you mean the sweaty mess on Howard Stern? Ya....I hated the guy 35 years ago

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Kentuckistan's avatar

Ouch ...its a retrograde society

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Ana's avatar

amen!

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Sue Brody's avatar

So we screwed yet another ally—and Trump’s authoritarian government continues to materialize. I hope his sycophants are happy.

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Maria's avatar

"tough talk from GOP China hawks"

These so called China hawks are complete frauds.

Starting from Strategy Cheese.

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DesertNavy's avatar

Tim, China's claim on Taiwan is simply for punitive reasons. China has no claim on Taiwan any more than the US has on Cuba.

Proximity doesn't give China a claim.

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KittyKat Lo's avatar

Tim, you nailed it. Your assessment that we are losing all our influence to China. Trump and MAGA have destroyed our reputation and innovation.

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Richard Courtney's avatar

The master negotiator gets played again, while he's abandoning all moral principles.

Never read "Art of the Deal", was there a chapter called "Bend Over and Grease Up"?

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Robert J Danolfo's avatar

Thanks Tim & Ben for the up to the minute information on this particular topic. What's to say? Under this administration, our allies are thinking...with friends like these , who needs enemies .

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Carrie's avatar

Kind of? This was a huge eff you to Taiwan, our ally. Really bad stuff. Strongmen, autocrats, authoritarians, dictators banding together. Trump thinks he's part of the big boy's club. All he's doing is screwing over America.

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