Isle of discord
Re: "Trump downplays Taiwan concerns", (World, May 13). Nearly a decade ago, in April 2017, when US President Donald Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping in a state dinner at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, he demonstrated the mighty US power and his preeminent leadership role by informing Mr Xi the US military was unleashing a barrage of cruise missiles against Syria.
This week, Mr Trump is making his second state visit to China, but this time a string of events has dampened his high spirits.
Mr Trump's irregular tariff policy imposed on any country he wishes came to an end when the Supreme Court ruled it illegal in February.
If that were not enough, the US Court of International Trade has now ruled Mr Trump's 10% universal tariff to replace the revoked reciprocal tariff issued under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act is unlawful, too.
On the flip side of the coin, the war with Iran started two months ago by Mr Trump has exposed the outdated arsenal and capabilities of the US military. Countries in the Middle East, even South Korea in Asia, have begun to doubt if the US can still protect them.
So what cards does Mr Trump have left to play with China?
On May 2 the Trump administration resorted to its usual long-arm jurisdiction tactic by imposing secondary sanctions on five Chinese petroleum refineries on Chinese soil that purchased Iranian oil.
This was met with immediate retaliation from China, implementing a law that blocks the sanctions and allows Chinese companies to bring civil claims against those that comply with foreign sanctions to their detriment.
From magnets to rare earth, from soybeans to meat, there is a long list of products the US wants China to supply and buy.
With threats and sanctions no longer effective, will the peaceful unification of Taiwan become a main course on the menu?
