Rational China, Irrational US
By: Kayhan Int’l Staff Writer
The claimants to be the world’s two leading economies are respectively playing host or being hosted by leaders of countries priding on special connections either of them.
If the US president was welcomed in Riyadh by the Saudi Heir Apparent who personally received the guest at the airport and escorted him to a luxurious palace for talks on boosting the American economy with purchase of the latest military equipment, the Chinese president welcomed in Beijing several heads of state of the Latin American and Caribbean countries.
While the billionaire Donald Trump openly talked of fleecing his oil-rich Arab hosts who have already announced multimillion dollar presents for him (including a luxurious aircraft from Qatar’s Emir), Xi Jinping announced a commitment of approximately 9.2 billion dollars in credit lines to support development projects across CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States).
China, as well as Russia, in contrast to the US and its irrational policy of imposing astronomical tariffs on world countries, wield major influence around the globe in view of their rational approach to various international issues.
CELAC is an intergovernmental mechanism for dialogue and political agreement, which includes permanently thirty-three countries in Latin America and the Caribbean – most of whom resentful of high handed US policies..
The Chinese President denounced “bullying and hegemony” in a veiled jab at the United States, as he addressed Latin American and Caribbean leaders at this major forum in Beijing.
Trump, who is notorious for his ignorance of geography, history, and even current affairs, forced Saudi Arabia to sign a 142 billion dollar arms deal with the US. He further shocked analysts by removing the terrorist tag from the Syrian regime along with the sanctions imposed on Damascus during President Bashar Assad’s rule.
The notable attendees at the forum in Beijing included Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose presence signaled the strengthening of ties between Brazil and China, with discussions focusing on enhancing bilateral trade and investment. Additionally, President Gustavo Petro announced Colombia’s intention to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
In his address, Xi identified unity and cooperation as the only means through which “countries can safeguard global peace and stability and promote worldwide development and prosperity.”
The China-CELAC Forum follows the US aggressive approaches, including its escalation of tariffs on Chinese imports through a rapid series of increases during the year up to 145 percent.