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Letters | Why Trump and China’s Xi are natural allies
- Both Xi and Trump have the same problem – feeling that the world is out to get them – and both also believe themselves to be the right person to fix this. So, working together while maintaining the facade of being enemies might serve both their interests
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President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump do seem to have a lot in common. Granted, Xi is the leader of a communist state, while Trump is the leader of the democratic free world. Even so, they appear to be the perfect “odd couple”.
Despite all eyes staring at Hong Kong recently, Beijing went ahead with implementing the national security law. From Beijing’s point of view, it was a win-win scenario.
If no one condemned it, Beijing could get what it wanted at no cost. In case of international condemnation, not only would Beijing still pass the law, but also be able to use the backlash from each foreign response as a propaganda tool to stir up nationalist sentiment, thus strengthening the Communist Party’s overall power: “See, the world is out to get us.” To Beijing, the opportunity to increase nationalist sentiment at home outweighs any foreign punishment.
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On the other side of the Pacific, Trump and his administration is on the rampage. Mexicans are “rapists”, China is an evil empire, Covid-19 is the “Chinese virus”, and so on. All this ranting accomplishes an important goal for Trump, stirring up nationalist sentiment to support his re-election.
Trump first got elected on a nationalist platform: “See, the world is out to get us.” Hong Kong’s fight for freedoms appears to be the only issue that received bipartisan support, agreed on by both Democrats and Republicans. Appearing as a China hawk and a defender of freedom, Trump might be able to sway “on the fence” voters to his side.
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Trump ‘pleaded’ for China to help him get re-elected, writes former US adviser Bolton in new book
Trump ‘pleaded’ for China to help him get re-elected, writes former US adviser Bolton in new book
Xi and Trump have the same problem, feeling that the world is out to get them. Both also believe themselves to be the right person to fix this. Since they both have a common problem, why not work together? Maintaining the facade of being enemies would serve both their interests. Both Xi and Trump appear to need each other to stay in power.
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