[predictmktegirl]

I think we should all keep something in mind before we go celebrate the end of globalization. If we go on a rampage pulling manufacturing and capital out of China while simultaneously blaming them for the pandemic, in a few years we’ll end up seeing a nation with a shattered economy, a pissed off populace, and the largest and most well supplied army on Earth. Rhetoric tends to devolve into a limited decision matrix when we should be trying to expand the tree instead. Diplomacy works, anger doesn’t.

[spangry]

On the other hand, it's difficult to be diplomatic when one side is so belligerent, sensitive and petty. China has started imposing trade sanctions on my country (Australia) because our Prime Minister had the audacity to suggest there should be an independent inquiry into the origin of COVID-19. Meanwhile, they see fit to interfere in our domestic and political affairs through various front organisations, bribery and even directly through their embassy and ambassador in Australia.

People are fast growing tired of China's aggressive and abusive approach to 'diplomacy'.

[luckylion]

That's fair-ish for Australia (but then again, Australia is part of the five eyes, so essentially a part of US global policy), but less so for the US.

I believe most people see US <=> China in conflict, they don't really consider China <=> Australia, Vietnam or Japan.

[ladyanita22]

The world (and the west) is not us only

[luckylion]

Absolutely, I just wanted to point out that e.g. China <=> Australia is most likely not considered it's own conflict, but rather a subconflict of China <=> US, as Australia is part of the US bloc, just like every other Western nation and close allies in Asia.

China <=> Russia would be considered a different conflict, as few people believe that Russia would be acting as a proxy for the US.

[bigpumpkin]

"in a few years we’ll end up seeing a nation with a shattered economy, a pissed off populace, and the largest and most well supplied army on Earth."

I wouldn't make such a dire prediction about the future of America.

[jjoonathan]

The problem was ignored for years in the name of diplomacy. It festered and metastasized.

[fartcannon]

Someone somewhere is playing to win, though. You can only successfully use diplomacy from a position of power. I think some of the sabre rattling is an attempt to suggest power.