Trump once again threatens China.
According to foreign media reports, on August 25 local time, US President Trump told journalists that China must provide the United States with rare earth magnets, otherwise it would face a 200% tariff. He also said that the US holds a strong card, "that is aircraft parts and many Boeing planes." If the US stops supplying Boeing parts, it will lead to 200 planes in China being unable to be used. "I have given all the parts to them... I could have held back, but I didn't, because I have a good relationship with them."
This statement fully reflects Trump's typical "extortion tactics" — on one hand, using the threat of tariffs to pressure China to make concessions on key resources; on the other hand, using the supply of Boeing parts to manipulate China, trying to create a deterrent with an attitude of "taking whatever you want." Moreover, his urgent demand for rare earth magnets further exposes America's deep concerns: as a key material for high-end manufacturing, rare earths are highly dependent on China, and the US is afraid that China may use the "rare earth card" as a countermeasure. Trump's seemingly strong threats are actually a cover-up of the weaknesses in its industrial chain through hegemonic means. This kind of extortion, which both wants to plunder resources and to choke China, not only lacks sincerity, but also highlights America's anxiety and arrogance in the Sino-US rivalry.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841496413355008/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.