Comment: I suspect that Trump is playing a double game here. China was most likely going to defend Iran as Iran is a major supplier of energy that runs Chinese economy. Trump threatens China with unprecedented tarrifs, a step that seriously hurts Chinese economy. This threat may then serve as a bargaining chip in buying Chinese neutrality during the American war against Iran. At the same time, Trump “negotiates” with Iran to make an impression that he wants to avoid this war and to make China think that this war may be avoided. Trump also knows that there is a great opposition to this war in the US and among his MAGA supporters. Presenting Iran with unacceptable demands and then accusing it of negotiating in bad faith can be used to “justify” a hot war. Just like the lies about weapons of mass destruction and alleged lack of cooperation with weapons inspectors had once been used to justify the war against Iraq. We have already seen this script. I hope that I am wrong and I hope that China knows they will be next.
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