by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | diplomacy and diplomats, foreign policy, international relations, politics, politics and government
Last of two parts
There’s no clearer signal about U.S. President Trump’s probable approach towards mending ties with China, after moving away from his predecessor’s aggressive stance, than the gesture of inviting Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration—the only foreign leader accorded this honor. Neither the leaders of Britain, America’s home nation and staunchest ally, nor those of neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico, received such an invitation.
Although he might keep up and perhaps escalate efforts to alter what he perceives as unfavorable trade deals with China and other nations like Mexico and Canada from his initial term, Trump’s social media team has labeled Biden’s international strategy a “trap for conflict”: referring to America’s aggressive stance which could lead to an all-out confrontation with the emerging global powerhouse. Their preferred catchphrases have consistently been “Use tariffs, not warfare” and “Employ tariffs, avoid deploying troops.”
Certainly, those serving under American influence, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who understands international diplomacy just as well as he grasps agricultural economics, will adhere to Uncle Sam’s stance. This alignment would only occur during the uncommon instances when a United States directive proves beneficial for our nation.
Biden has escalated President Obama’s major initiative launched in 2009 aimed at strategically limiting both China’s political influence and military expansion under the guise of what they call a “pivot to Asia.” This strategy stems from the dominant belief among America’s leaders—that their nation is predestined to be the only global superpower—supported by an ideology emphasizing their country’s distinctive populace, governmental framework, and capitalistic economy promoting democratic values and personal liberty.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, which turned the global landscape into a unipolar order dominated by the United States, China at the dawn of the new millennium began to pose a significant challenge to American supremacy. This shift was largely due to China’s remarkable economic expansion. Joining forces with this rising power, Russia also ascended like a phoenix from the ruins of the former superpower.
Biden escalated Obama’s pivot strategy by establishing nine U.S. military bases in the Philippines—four additional ones atop those set up earlier under Obama—and deployed Typhoon intermediate-range missiles at one such base. He also forged stronger defense ties through agreements like AUKUS, QUAD, and bilateral accords with Japan and the Philippines aimed explicitly at preparing for potential military clashes against China. Biden further ramped up what he termed “freedom of navigation” patrols within the South China Sea to contest Beijing’s sovereignty assertions over certain areas. Additionally, his administration bolstered efforts to disseminate anti-Chinese narratives via organizations including the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative and the Gordian Knot Institute based out of Stanford University, led reportedly by individuals connected to American intelligence agencies. These initiatives complemented ongoing support provided to Filipino coast guard activities opposing Chinese control over parts of the Spratly Islands, backed by clandestine assistance and strategic intel briefings.
China will demand that Trump order an end to these provocative activities, which will lead, finally after the insanity of the Aquino III and Marcos Jr. policies, to a new era in which the Philippines gets closer to its neighbor that could help it grow with its powerful economic engines.
Dictator
Biden’s rhetoric had been sharp, calling Xi Jinping a “dictator” and pledging to defend Taiwan if attacked, the first time the US stepped beyond its traditional official stance of ambiguity.
Despite being just under two months into his term, the Trump administration appears poised to seek improved relations with China for various reasons.
The first point is that Trump himself has shown hostility towards his predecessor, who is seen as an ideologically driven member of the Democratic Party with a perspective vastly different from his own.
None of Biden’s former foreign policy and security advisors—who essentially guided the older Biden—are part of this current team. For instance, his ex-National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (responsible for orchestrating our dispute with China) and previous Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell (who persuaded then-Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario to relinquish Scarborough Shoal)—are not included here.
The key element influencing Trump’s position towards China revolved around his experience as a businessman. In contrast, Biden spent his entire career within the ideologically driven framework of the Democratic Party, shaping his understanding of China primarily through this lens. To him, China remained the same “Red China” from post-World War II days—a regime characterized by its autocratic governance and disregard for basic human rights. Even leaders like Mao were seen through this perspective, remembered not just for their policies but also associated with famines that resulted in the deaths of millions due to starvation.
Biden’s understanding of China was based mainly on information from secondary sources like presentations by policy experts and ideologues such as Sullivan and Campbell, along with conversations during meals or social gatherings with prominent figures within the Democratic Party. These party leaders generally agree that China poses a significant ideological threat similar to that once presented by the former Soviet Union.
Firsthand
On the contrary, Trump’s experience is direct, so to speak, via the enterprises he established in China and his interactions with Chinese firms based in New York. Since 2005, the Trump Organization has pursued hotel and branding opportunities in China, obtaining more than 126 trademarks by 2025. During his tenure at the Shanghai office between 2012 and 2016, connections were formed with government-backed organizations including the International Commercial Bank of China, a tenant within one of Trump’s towers, indicating personal engagement with both Chinese authorities and marketplaces. Furthermore, the Trump Organization secured significant financial backing from Chinese lenders; for instance, they received a loan worth approximately $950 million from the Bank of China in 2012 for real estate acquisition purposes. Additionally, owning an account with a Chinese bank acquainted him with Beijing’s economic landscape.
His history with businesses in China has made him cautious about cutting ties. Applying excessive pressure—such as increasing military tensions—could lead to repercussions for American corporations operating in those markets, which he considers his own sphere where he looks after their well-being. While tariffs do harm China, they are strategic rather than impulsive moves—he has stated, “I love tariffs; they’re my favorite.”
Trump maneuvered through China’s bureaucratic system and business environment, turning a profit from his dealings. He has often highlighted this fact, such as during a 2016 debate when he stated, “I have earned substantial amounts of money working with China.”
In 2017, Trump hosted Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago, providing a chance to assess the Chinese leader personally. From a businessman’s perspective, Trump probably views Xi as someone aiming for the most favorable terms for China rather than seeing him merely as a bully, as Biden does. During his term, Trump witnessed firsthand how China wields its economic influence through state-owned financial institutions, expedited trademark processes, and production tailored for his brand lines. To Trump, this makes China more of a counterpart in negotiations instead of solely being viewed as a strategic adversary.
Musk
Then we have Elon Musk, who stands out among Trump’s advisers. He rose to become the wealthiest person globally largely due to his company Tesla with its electric cars. Tesla runs a significant production site in Shanghai called Gigafactory Shanghai, established in 2019, having manufactured one million units of his bestselling Model Y in China. This makes the Model Y the top-selling EV in the country. Tesla was permitted to set up a completely independent plant in China—a privilege granted only after changes were made to the nation’s investment rules for foreign entities—without needing a domestic ally.
The manufacturing site in Shanghai stands as Tesla’s biggest production center worldwide, outdoing its Fremont, California, location in terms of scale and volume. This plant accounts for more than fifty percent of Tesla’s vehicles delivered across the globe, boasting an annual production capability above 750,000 automobiles.
The factory’s prosperity is backed by considerable financial support from Chinese government-run banks, which offered around $1.4 billion in loans with preferential terms. Additionally, a strong domestic supply chain has strengthened China’s electric vehicle industry.
After the United States, China stands as Tesla’s second-biggest market, making up approximately 40% of their worldwide sales and around 22 to 25 percent of overall revenue in recent times—for instance, $18 billion in 2022. Additionally, Tesla profits significantly due to China being pivotal in the international battery supply network; almost 40 percent of Tesla’s battery components come from Chinese firms, and this collaboration keeps growing stronger.
It’s unimaginable for Musk to simply lounge around as the US maintains its aggressive position towards China, which was initiated under Obama’s administration.
Sticking
However, there’s a snag: Trump’s streetwise strategy toward China, developed over decades of negotiating deals, might clash with the tough line taken by members of his administration. During a heated 2024 Senate hearing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled China as a “generation-long challenge.” In contrast, National Security Advisor Mike Pick stated via an X post in January 2025 that he would confront Beijing’s assertiveness directly. Conservative lawmakers in Congress along with Trump supporters on social media platforms such as @EndWokeness have been advocating for a firm stance, echoing sentiments like “Mr. President, don’t get lenient on us!” This was part of a widely shared thread from March 2025 which garnered numerous retweets.
Although Trump is not particularly known for being swayed by his staff’s opinions, considering them merely as his employees, he often uses this approach. After all, his most recognizable catchphrase remains “You’re fired!” Alternatively, could it be that Trump has adopted hawkish stances just as a distraction from his actual favorable stance towards China?
Under Trump, China remains secure—yet so does a world rescued from the edge of nuclear conflict. I’m eagerly anticipating seeing those who were critical shift their stance when Biden takes over.
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by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | donald trump, government, news, politics, politics and government
WASHINGTON, D.C. — US President Donald Trump mentioned on Wednesday that he might propose lowering tariffs on China with the aim of getting Beijing’s consent for the sale of the widely used social media app TikTok.
“Perhaps I offer them some slight tariff reductions or something similar to make it happen,” he said to journalists at the White House.
Earlier this month, Trump mentioned that the United States was negotiating with four different entities keen on purchasing TikTok, leaving the app’s prospects in the country unclear.
A U.S. law has mandated that TikTok must sell off its stake owned by ByteDance or face being outlawed within the country. This decision was made due to worries that China might use this video-sharing app to gather intelligence on American citizens or subtly manipulate public sentiment in the United States.
The legislation came into force on January 19, one day prior to Trump’s inauguration. However, he swiftly declared a postponement of the law, enabling it to keep operating.
The said delay will end on April 5th.
“We will be entering into some sort of agreement,” Trump stated, mentioning that should the timing not work out, he would prolong the deadline.
I believe China will need to participate in that process, potentially through some form of endorsement, and I expect them to do so.
In his initial time at the helm of the White House, Trump also tried to prohibit TikTok within the United States due to worries about national security.
In January, TikTok was briefly suspended in the United States and vanished from app stores as the deadline for the legislation loomed, much to the disappointment of millions of users.
After starting his second term on January 20, Trump paused its execution for two-and-a-half months in an attempt to find a resolution with Beijing.
Later, TikTok resumed operations in the United States and was reinstated in both the Apple and Google app stores in February.
The AI startup Perplexity has recently shown interest in acquiring TikTok.
In a blog post, Perplexity outlined a plan to integrate its AI-driven web search features with the widely-used video-clipping application.
“The San Francisco-based company argued that merging Perplexity’s question-answering tool with TikTok’s vast video collection could result in the creation of the premier search experience globally,” they explained.
Even though TikTok doesn’t seem particularly eager about selling the app, possible purchasers encompass an effort known as “The People’s Bid for TikTok.” This campaign was initiated by Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty venture, which has interests in both real estate and sports.
Other contenders include Microsoft, Oracle, and a consortium featuring internet celebrity MrBeast, known as Jimmy Donaldson.
“As per Perplexity’s statement, a group of investors acquiring TikTok could potentially allow ByteDance to retain control over the algorithm. However, an acquisition by another major player might lead to a dominant position for them within the realm of short-form videos and informational content,” he argued in the blog post.
Society as a whole thrives when content feeds are freed from the control of foreign governments and global conglomerates.
by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | artificial intelligence, machine learning, technology, technology companies, technology industry
As I reflected on the past year marked by the devastating Israel-Hamas conflict and, more recently, China’s rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI)—highlighted by a lengthy CNBC video posted on YouTube titled “How China’s new AI model DeepSeek is challenging U.S. supremacy” on January 25—I also noted an article from The Economist dated January 23 called “Chinese AI is closing the gap, putting pressure on former President Trump.” This topic has sparked extensive discussions about the traditional high-capital investment approach seen in Silicon Valley versus the cost-effective strategy employed by models like DeepSeek.
This debate has driven significant growth within the technology sectors of both mainland China and Hong Kong stock exchanges. However, it simultaneously triggered corrections or pauses among AI-related equities traded in the United States, impacting not just those specific companies but spreading across wider segments of the American financial markets as well.
Moreover, one cannot overlook Malcolm Gladwell’s influential piece originally featured in the New Yorker on May 11, 2009, later developed into his book “David vs. Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants.” I strongly suggest reading either version; they offer profound insights worth considering.
The most striking example of lopsided triumph in warfare during my time would be Vietnam’s remarkable defeat of the U.S., following their earlier victories against France and lesser-known Japan. The latter withdrew plans to occupy Vietnam just as the Pacific part of World War II was concluding.
When one party is significantly stronger or weaker compared to the other, both sides typically adopt distinct tactics or strategies to secure victory or prevent loss. This often involves the dominant entity leveraging extensive resources to overpower competitors, whereas the less potent side employs alternative methods without directly challenging the superior force head-on. A case in point would be how Vietnam countered French and American forces during conflicts by adhering to their own strategic approaches rather than those dictated by these nations due to their substantial military superiority. Similarly, as mentioned in Malcolm Gladwell’s essay, an underdog girls’ basketball squad managed to consistently outperform their formidable rivals through relentless application of a full-court press throughout games.
The recent developments in artificial intelligence are largely centered around the competition between the United States and China, which stand out as the leading economic powers and hubs of technological advancement. Both nations have adopted distinct strategies towards harnessing AI opportunities.
In Western markets, prominent technology firms such as Microsoft, Google, and Meta along with several others are developing exclusive AI systems and products. For instance, Microsoft features an extensive segment dedicated to its AI-driven assistant named Copilot on their website. The platform offers individual access via Copilot alongside organizational use through 365 Copilot. Customization options include utilizing Copilot Studio or constructing personalized applications using Azure AI Foundry’s resources, services, or solutions. Similarly, Google boasts technologies like DeepMind coupled with comprehensive training tools. Meanwhile, Meta operates under its banner known as Meta AI. Notably, Google faces significant pressure since traditional search functionalities could be overshadowed by emerging platforms similar to ChatGPT unless bolstered by advanced AI capabilities; this concern was highlighted in Bloomberg’s podcast released on March 24th discussing these issues.
In China, developments extend beyond DeepSeek. If possible, check the Bloomberg piece from March 25 titled “After DeepSeek’s Success, China Massively Expands Global Reach With AI Models.” You might also find value in reading a synopsis and key points provided by Bloomberg AI for insights. According to the report, over the past couple of weeks alone, leading entities have unveiled “at least ten significant new product launches or upgrades.” It seems neither prominent U.S. nor Chinese technology firms became reactive to AI suddenly; instead, they foresaw its significance and had been proactive—often participating in ongoing AI projects—to develop exclusive AI technologies and offerings.
Recently, several significant artificial intelligence projects have been unveiled by prominent Chinese tech companies. As mentioned in a Bloomberg report: Baidu Inc. launched the Ernie X1 to rival DeepSeek’s R1. In response, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. introduced new AI entities along with an enhanced reasoning model. Within just one week, Tencent Holdings Ltd. presented their strategic plan for AI development alongside a counter-proposal to the R1. Additionally, Ant Group Co. disclosed research indicating that domestic semiconductor improvements could reduce expenses by 20%. Meanwhile, DeepSeek advanced its V3 version. Interestingly, even Meituan, renowned globally as the largest food delivery platform, declared investments amounting to billions of dollars into AI technology.
The primary distinction between American and Chinese AI models lies in their approach. Leading Western companies develop advanced and exclusive technologies. In contrast, China tends toward open-source solutions that are frequently offered for free or at minimal costs, aiding these models in capturing more of the market and establishing new benchmarks and standards.
This situation has compelled American and Western strategies to adjust their models once again. As stated in the same piece—“For instance, OpenAI is currently attempting to find a delicate equilibrium. Following DeepSeek’s successes using an open-source method, the creator of ChatGPT mentioned they’re considering sharing certain technologies. Simultaneously, OpenAI continues to contemplate significantly increasing prices for their advanced offerings. Should this cost-effective blueprint set forth by DeepSeek be imitated widely, it could potentially diminish profit margins for companies like Nvidia, which focuses on high-priced AI processors,” explained Amr Awadallah, CEO and founder of Vectara Inc.
In recent years, Chinese firms have edged out international competitors across various sectors such as electric vehicles and solar panels by producing more efficiently and offering lower prices. This trend appears to be repeating itself in the field of artificial intelligence.
It seems similar to what’s going on with electric vehicles from Tesla and BYD.
by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | crime, politics, politics and government, politics and law, serbia
Milorad Dodik leads the entity known as Republika Srpska, home to a majority Serbian population and constituting one-half of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He faces allegations for challenging the post-war structure set in place in 1995.
On Thursday, a court in Bosnia issued an international arrest warrant.
Milorad Dodik
the leader of the Serbian portion of the nation.
Last month, Dodik prohibited police forces affiliated with Bosnia’s national government from functioning within the territory of Republika Srpska, which is the Serbian entity of the nation.
order was then suspended
by the Constitutional Court.
Pro-Russian Dodik has consistently threatened to sever the Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This endangers the Dayton Accords, which were negotiated to establish peace in Bosnia after sectarian conflict destabilized the area when Yugoslavia disintegrated.
The accord reached in 1995 created two main bodies—the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina consisting of Croats and Muslims, along with the Republika Srpska inhabited primarily by Bosnian Serbs—forming the unified country of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Dodik disregards arrest warrant as tensions escalate
Dodik and another senior figure from Republika Srpska faced accusations of undermining the constitutional order following their actions the previous month.
A
Last week, a court in Bosnia issued an internal arrest warrant.
For Dodik and the two other leading officials from Republika Srpska.
However, both Dodik and the other official implicated in the case disregarded the directive and went overseas.
This week, Dodik entered neighboring Serbia and subsequently journeyed to Israel for an antisemitism conference in Jerusalem on Thursday.
The court stated in a release on Thursday that “all these factors indicate that either person might be overseas at any time, thus justifying further steps.” The case has now been handed over to the international law enforcement organization Interpol.
A court in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia,
Last month, Dodik was handed a one-year jail term.
for challenging the nation’s leading international supervisor and prohibiting him from holding office for six years.
However, Dodik and his supporters claim they do not acknowledge the legitimacy of the Bosnian prosecution office and therefore refuse to travel to Sarajevo for any questioning.
Edited by: Zac Crellin
Author: Roshni Majumdar (with Reuters, AP)
by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | tourists, water, water management, water supply, water treatment
On Wednesday, Cyprus announced its intention to provide subsidies for building private desalination facilities at hotels with the aim of securing sufficient freshwater supplies for this tourist-dependent country during peak summer months.
The needs of millions of visitors create pressure on
significant pressure on limited resources
.
Across the nation’s 108 reservoirs, water levels have plummeted to dangerously low points after experiencing the second-wettest winter in ten years. Consequently, the national water distribution system is under considerable strain because of high demand and extensive leakage issues.
Maria Panayiotou, the nation’s Minister for Agriculture and Environment, announced that the government will allocate €3 million in funding over the coming two years to assist hotels in constructing their own water desalination facilities.
Furthermore, steps will be taken to simplify and expedite the process for crucial industries like agriculture and tourism to develop new projects.
small-scale desalination plants
.
Cyprus plans to invest an additional €8 million in repairing pipeline infrastructure to minimize water leaks and losses, which are believed to be as high as 40 percent, according to Panayiotou.
Cyprus already possesses four permanent desalination facilities.
The government initiatives capitalize on Cyprus’s increasing dependence on desalinated water. Four more portable desalination units are set to start operations in October, capable of generating 30,000 cubic meters of potable water each day.
Cyprus currently operates four permanent desalination facilities, with each facility generating 235,000 cubic meters of potable water per day. However, a fifth plant is not functioning because it was affected by a fire.
Panayiotou stated in December that additional desalination facilities are necessary to boost daily production.
fresh water
production quadrupled over the next ten years.
Cyprus still depends on an extensive dam system with a combined storage capacity of 330 million cubic meters.
According to the minister, Cyprus boasts more dams proportionally to its population than any other European nation. Official data indicates that these dams are presently filled to only 24.6 percent of their capacity, down from 47.2 percent last year.
Tourism makes up 13.5 percent of Cyprus’ gross domestic product. Last year, tourist arrivals surpassed 4 million, establishing a new high mark.
