This article blows apart my conception that Beijing were being deep and strategic thinkers in this Trumpian trade brouhaha. If they were silent, I thought, it was a strategic, contemplative silence. If they said something, it was a strategic and well-thought-out something. Or so I thought.
But no, it appears none of that is true. If you believe Wendy Wu and Kristin Huang in today's South China Morning Post. And I have no reason not to believe them. My my thoughts were feelings, and the feelings were just that: feelings. Whereas Wu and Huang have done their homework. They have talked extensively to people on both sides of the battle. I would rather their researched views than my gut-feel one.
What's shocking is the extent of Chinese ignorance about the US, their unpreparedness for the trade war, and their continued lack of serious people in serious numbers working on US issues.
The US side was way better prepared according to this article.
Also shocking, but predictable, is the extent to which this is all the consequence of dictator Xi, and his efforts to tighten party control. Control => no one willing to speak truth to power.
/Snip
Sources and observers told the South China Morning Post that the problem is policies introduced by Beijing – driven by a need to consolidate the party's power – that have discouraged policy advisers from having in-depth discussions with their US counterparts that would help them to understand the latest thinking in Washington, or from speaking their minds.
