[tharmas]

I think the point being made is that under Trump's plan (repatriate production) China is MORE likely to invade Taiwan than before. Under the current situation China is LESS likely to invade Taiwan BECAUSE they rely on selling stuff to the USA. Once that reliance is gone, there are less negative consequences for China if they choose to invade Taiwan.

[bitsage]

China could also use the US’ dependence on it as leverage to discourage them from intervening in Taiwan. We just saw this play out with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We routinely see Turkey threaten the EU with migrants over the bloc’s reliance on Turkey. We also saw Azerbaijan make a move for Artsakh knowing the EU needed their gas following the invasion of Ukraine. I believe China would prefer being able to extort the US rather than face the possibility of fighting an unbowed US.

[Clubber]

>Under the current situation China is LESS likely to invade Taiwan BECAUSE they rely on selling stuff to the USA.

I mean the took over Hong Kong already. I think that is wishful thinking.

[grayhatter]

Wasn't it that they installed sympathetic politicians, which then led to the UK willingly turning over control (despite the local protests). Calling that a takeover seems misleading to me.

Ahh somewhat willingly, the lease to the land expired. So seemingly no choice was given.

[Clubber]

They broke the agreement for the handover by about 25 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_country,_two_systems