The US-China Feud Makes It Harder to Fight Coronavirus
, president and creator of political threat consultancy Eurasia Group, says the crisis is exposing the world’s divisions, and might force the United States and China into a more hostile and economically independent relationship. Everyone in the foreign policy establishment thought that if China got wealthier they would line up with us and be a responsible stakeholder. Three months ago, my view was that we weren’t going to see considerable motion of supply chains or labor out of China, however I have actually altered that view. If the coronavirus gets to the point that it’s beginning to impact Trump’s reelection possibilities, he’s not going to be outflanked by the Democrats on being soft on China. Hong Kong and South Korea and the South China Sea look much more tense; there’s a lot less coordinated trade in between the 2 countries and tariffs go up; less students and technology being exchanged.
Three months earlier, my view was that we weren’t going to see substantial movement of supply chains or labor out of China, but I have actually altered that view. If the coronavirus gets to the point that it’s beginning to affect Trump’s reelection possibilities, he’s not going to be outflanked by the Democrats on being soft on China. Hong Kong and South Korea and the South China Sea look much more tense; there’s a lot less collaborated trade between the two tariffs and countries go up; less trainees and technology being exchanged.