Interesting poll numbers on Trump's stance on China and Russia
- Thread starter Blackstone
- Start date
Typical profile of a bully, go after someone who you think can be easily overwhelm and not hurt yourself.
Skywatcher
Captain
Not surprising, considering that the Russians have done lethal things in Ukraine, and most China has been doing is building up some islets in the SCS.
manqiangrexue
Brigadier
I honestly think he's just straight up racist and sees a brethren nation in Russia, which is large, white, and powerful. (2 of his 3 wives are Slavic and his favorite child is named Ivanka, a Slavic name.) He admires Russian arrogance and indifference to racism and also doesn't want to see an Asian superpower come to pass.
This doesn't mean Putin sees Trump the same way, though. Putin is wayyyy too smart to be truly flattered by any of this and he knows well the ephemeral power of the American president. He only sees this as a 4-8 year window of opportunity to take as many chunks out of US foreign power as possible while Trump sits there thinking he's making the new white power axis to check China.
But then again, other reasons could be that 1. Trump is a man who primarily thinks in dollars and in that area, China's economy is a real big threat while Russia's is an afterthought and 2. Russia could have something on Trump that we all don't know (or kinda know but can't prove). Maybe a we-rig-the-election-for-you-and-you-gut-NATO-for-us kinda thing. He likes deals, right?
This doesn't mean Putin sees Trump the same way, though. Putin is wayyyy too smart to be truly flattered by any of this and he knows well the ephemeral power of the American president. He only sees this as a 4-8 year window of opportunity to take as many chunks out of US foreign power as possible while Trump sits there thinking he's making the new white power axis to check China.
But then again, other reasons could be that 1. Trump is a man who primarily thinks in dollars and in that area, China's economy is a real big threat while Russia's is an afterthought and 2. Russia could have something on Trump that we all don't know (or kinda know but can't prove). Maybe a we-rig-the-election-for-you-and-you-gut-NATO-for-us kinda thing. He likes deals, right?
Last edited:
Not necessesarily racial thing, but something broader that includes racial/cultural affliation/frequent contact. In the broader sense, I agree with you.
One phenominum which can be described in Chinese as "爱屋及乌" (love of the house extends to the bird that nested on the roof). Typical display of it is "I like people of country J because I drive car made in country J and I own a TV from country J. I don't really care anything else". This altitude is common among certain(geographical part of) Europeans and Americans (geographical, not USA) who I have some close contacts. I am not aware of such altitude among western Europeans who happen to enjoy local or German cars and electronics. Also, you may be aware of certain SE Asian country unconditionally taking side of Palestine some thousands kilometers away while other countries in the same region keep a much lower profile on the matter. It is a human nature.
I agree, Putin is too smart to be flattered. I guess he is a good chess player.
I think point 1 is a given. Even though Trump is not a student of Karl Max, as a businessman he know economy is the foundation of everything, military or political. Nobody can play a game (hard or soft) with an empty wallet.
Last edited:
Skywatcher
Captain
Frankly, Trump can't do anything much for Putin, apart from rolling back sanctions (and McCain could just roll them back into the next NDAA).
Equation
Lieutenant General
Trump's connection to Russia is mainly for business and enriching himself.
[QUOTE“The Trump-Russia links beneath the surface are even more extensive,” Max Bootin the Los AngelesTimes. “Trump has sought and received funding from Russian investors for his business ventures, especially after most American banks stopped lending to him following his multiple bankruptcies.”][/QUOTE]
[QUOTE“The Trump-Russia links beneath the surface are even more extensive,” Max Bootin the Los AngelesTimes. “Trump has sought and received funding from Russian investors for his business ventures, especially after most American banks stopped lending to him following his multiple bankruptcies.”][/QUOTE]
Putin was having warm relationships with almost all western nation leaders during his first presidency. IIRC, he and his ex-wife even became family friends of Bush the Jr. when the latter was POTUS. I wonder if they still exchange gifts for Chirstmas now.
At that time, the Chinese were certainly missing Yeltsin.
But the relationships turned sour almost overnight. Does anyone remember why Putin all of sudden became the public enemy in the western world, in particular in eyes of the western media? It was as if Putin were caught doing something terribly wrong.
At that time, the Chinese were certainly missing Yeltsin.
But the relationships turned sour almost overnight. Does anyone remember why Putin all of sudden became the public enemy in the western world, in particular in eyes of the western media? It was as if Putin were caught doing something terribly wrong.
If you are trying to convey the idea of "political friendship is not friendship", I agree with you.
All that you listed above tell how meaningless those "friendships" were. They come and go in a split of second. Never (only) listen to the words, look at the acts and take time.
Regarding Yetsin, I don't remember Chinese (by media, or netizens) showed more favorite to him than Putin. My understanding is, Russia under Yetsin and Putin's early time was pursuing good relationship with the West and China. However they both had overly anticipated/hoped good-will return from the west, only to be rebuffed by the eastward extension of NATO, anti-ballistic missile network deployment, regime change at Russian door-step etc. In regards to approaching west, Putin was continuing Yeltsin's policy.
BTW, you have a good "name".
First, sorry to drag the discussion off topic even further.
I think Yeltsin's days were too early for many Chinese netizens at large. He was missing mostly by the Chinese who were supposedly in the know. There were legends about how Yeltsin was generous in transferring technologies to China. In comparison, Putin was said being more on guard against Chinese at first. He turned to the east only later.
Agree. This explains why Putin was frustrated and started looking east more. But why and since when did the west turn him into a public enemy? There must be some triggering events that are missing from my memory.
Thank you.BTW, you have a good "name".