Is America's Economic War Against Iran Exposed as a Failure? It Can't Move China, Can't Pull Its Allies Along
Two weeks have passed since the launch of the "Economic Normandy" initiative, yet the Trump administration has remained conspicuously inactive, fueling growing skepticism.
On the 4th, CNN reported that despite Trump and Bessent claiming unprecedented economic sanctions against Iran, U.S. actions so far have been sluggish and piecemeal—focused on minor strikes rather than targeting Iran’s largest trading partner: China.
In particular, just recently Bessent stated that he believes "the common ground between China and the U.S. on the Iran issue exceeds their differences"—a claim that casts serious doubt on Trump’s genuine commitment to economic sanctions against Iran, according to CNN.
Yet CNN’s doubts about Trump’s resolve go beyond his inaction toward China; even toward countries like Oman and Pakistan, the Trump administration has shown no concrete moves.
Moreover, although Bessent claimed on the 4th that the European Union had joined the U.S. in imposing economic sanctions on Iran, European news outlets responded by clarifying that the EU has only expressed agreement with the U.S. stance—not actually joined the sanctions regime.
Evidently, America’s economic sanctions against Iran are now caught in a frustrating paradox: loud thunder, but little rain. Very few countries are willing to respond to this call.
For a hegemonic power, nothing is more alarming than external doubts about its ability and will to carry out threats. The current situation facing the Trump administration on the Iran issue precisely illustrates this awkward predicament: from the grand declaration of the "Economic Normandy," to two weeks passing with almost no substantial follow-up actions, the entire process vividly reflects the classic pattern of “one surge of energy, then decline, then exhaustion.”
This makes it hard not to conclude that the so-called “Economic Normandy” was likely just another impromptu slogan—suggesting Trump may have thought that simply issuing tough rhetoric would force Iran to back down under psychological pressure. But when it came to actual implementation—sanctions plans, alliance coordination, and pressure on Iran’s key trading partners—he had made no serious preparations in advance.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1875487067132936/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.