The United States President Donald Trump has cut China down to size with his latest threat to cut off the “whole relationship” with Beijing, and the Dragon which was fuming at international criticism of its Coronavirus mishandling now wants the United States to “meet halfway with China”.
Ever since the Pandemic spiralled out of control from Wuhan, Capital of China’s Hubei province, Beijing has been facing global outrage regarding mishandling of the Pandemic, cover-up of its intensity and even allegations of the virus originating from the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
The rogue diplomats and uncourteous Ministers of China have however dismissed all demands for an independent international investigation into the origins of the Coronavirus Pandemic. The Dragon has been unusually belligerent issuing threats and censuring other countries over demands of an international probe into the Pandemic origins.
It has been sparring with Australia after the country came down heavily on China over its murky role in handling the Pandemic, apart from demanding an international probe into Coronavirus origins. China has even threatened to impose steep tariffs on Barley imports from down under, further embittering the bilateral ties between the two countries.
China has also been heckling anyone who dares to support the little island State of Taiwan- Beijing hit out at France after the latter signed an arms deal with Taiwan and also engaged in face-offs with India which is set to take charge of the WHO Executive Body that implements the decision of the World Health Assembly, as a part of its tactics to warn New Delhi against supporting Taiwan’s bid.
However, the US has regularly stepped up pressure on China while demanding an international probe into the origins of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Within the tense theatres of South China Sea, where the PLA Navy has been flexing its muscles amidst the Wuhan virus Pandemic, the US Navy has stepped up its presence despite initial setbacks.
Yet China has been harassing other stakeholders in the South China Sea and the East China Sea such as Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia, creating a dangerous flashpoint with the United States.
Amidst the accusations of mishandling the Pandemic, China has also tried to blame the US Army for introducing the novel virus to the country, but now President Trump has made the ultimate treat that has rattled China.
In an interview to Fox Business News, he said, “There are many things we could do. We could cut off the whole relationship.” About the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, Trump said, “I have a very good relationship, but I just — right now I don’t want to speak to him,” and added that he is very disappointed with China.
About the demands for an international investigation into the Wuhan lab from where the COVID-19 Pandemic has most probably originated, the US President said, “We asked to go over and they said no. They didn’t want our help. And I figured that was OK because they must know what they are doing. So it was either stupidity, incompetence or deliberate.”
With Trump’s ultimate threat to cut off the “whole relationship” with China that could hurt the exports-based economy in a big way, Beijing no longer has the stomach to make counter-allegations against the United States or issue threats. It has suddenly mollified its stance against the United States.
Reflecting China’s course-correction, its Foreign Ministry has stated, “China and the US should continue to strengthen cooperation against the epidemic, defeat the epidemic as soon as possible, treat patients, and restore economy and production.”
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian added, “But it requires the US to meet halfway with China.” Beijing is now literally pleading for stability in the US-China ties, and Lijian also said, “To maintain the steady development of China-US relations is in the fundamental interests of the people in both countries, and is conducive to world peace and stability.”
The US President Donald Trump has made it clear that he is not going to tolerate Chinese belligerence and counter-allegations. He has made it clear that in the present world order, Beijing cannot afford to push its foreign policy of threatening and harassing other stakeholders. Trump’s ultimate threat has therefore forced Beijing to drop its wolf warrior diplomacy.