Issues Under Fire: Rhetorical Question: Was Trump Taken Seriously in Asia?

 

Issues Under Fire: Rhetorical Question - Was Trump Taken Seriously in Asia?

As documentarians of history, it was necessary to pay close attention to 45's 12 day Asian jaunt to China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines. If for no other reason, it was important to determine what, if anything, could be gained by allowing other world leaders to observe Donald Trump's blatant intellectual deficiencies up close and personal. Having no clue as to what Trump could possibly contribute to the global conversation that wouldn't immediately be discounted based on his reputation for being a know nothing, we knew this trip could yield some interesting takeaways. And it did.

From the dispute over North Korea's pursuit of long range nuclear weapons, to the South China Sea conflict, to regional trade issues, it was plain to see Donald Trump's message was received with no more than a big global yawn. With his reputation preceding him, those in attendance lavished Trump with enough benign respect to quell his insatiable hunger for personal praise, all the while openly planning for a post Trump world. Sure, White House spinmeisters are busy crafting a narrative that Trump looked presidential and demonstrated his unequaled business acumen, generating deals for America's weapons manufacturers, but the reality is, 45 made America look like small potatoes compared to the plans China has for its future.

When it comes to North Korea, regional players are merely telling Trump what he wants and needs to hear. But the actions they take will reflect what's in the best interest of each individual nation and the region collectively. China, Japan and South Korea have already concluded there is no acceptable military option to the North Korean issue. In our view, regional players are placating Trump by signing off on tougher U.N. sanctions, simply to keep him from doing something stupid. The very idea of the U.S. conducting a preemptive strike is worth the interruption of business as usual, until sounder minds regain control of the Oval Office.

When it comes to the South China Sea issue, China's Xi Jinping, Japan's Shinzo Abe and South Korea's Moon Jae-in will never admit it publicly, but they'd much rather keep Donald Trump as far away from regional negotiations as possible. Again, with little if anything to offer but rhetoric and weapons for sale to settle the dispute, these leaders will wisely decide to decline Trump's offer to help with his unequaled mediation skills. And a wise move it'll be, considering the mess Trump left behind in the Middle East. After a mere nine day visit to the region, by the time Trump returned to the states, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirate and Bahrain severed diplomatic ties with Qatar and began a blockade against the rich but tiny land locked nation. Whatever Trump said to those people during his stay, it wasn't helpful.

When it comes to regional trade, that boat has sailed. When Trump pulled out of the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership), the eleven remaining member nations decided to forge ahead without the U.S. Now in the process of finalizing the deal to meet the concerns of those committed to the partnership, 40% of the world's economic output will proceed without U.S. inclusion or influence. China will benefit greatly from Donald Trump's inability to understand the value of being apart of this inevitable future. Once again, having nothing to bring to the table but complaints of unfair trade practices against the U.S. by everyone else, most members of the ASEAN Summit were happy to see Trump on the sidelines and even happier to see him leave.

Bottom line: No matter what Trump says in his upcoming "MAJOR" announcement of his "MAJOR" achievements on his "MAJOR" trip to make America great again, just remember one thing. Donald Trump is a "MAJOR LIAR". He got bupkis from this trip and so did the American people. Podcast below.