Sadly, it looks like the UK is starting to convince other western countries to drop Huawei. I mean, so far it has been less than 10 countries, but China seriously needs to double-down and speed up its 5G progress with the non-Western world. At the same time, try to make it as difficult as possible for countries to completely remove existing Huawei equipment from their systems. If it takes too long and becomes too expensive to do, politics may take over and they'll give up half way. Especially with slowing GDP around the world.
Miscellaneous News
- Thread starter bd popeye
- Start date
plawolf
Lieutenant General
Well, funny thing about principles is that it’s not a principle if you only apply it when it benefits you.
I have zero problems with countries and leaders being pragmatic to look after the best interests of the nation. I do have a problem when leaders and countries try to pass that off as some high minded idealism/point of principle.
I also have a problem with excessive and blatant cowardice on the part of countries and governments, especially those who previously tried to pass off actions to further their own interests as selfless acts of principle.
If you as a country is honest and upfront about you being pragmatic when it comes to foreign policy, others will know to come to you with pragmatic offers.
Even from a purely material prospective from the point of view of Canada, that’s exceptionally bad practice.
If you pretend to be all principled and beyond mortal considerations when you shit on countries who have previously only shown you courtesy and respect, to serve your own national interest; and then show disgusting levels of cowardice on matters of principle when dealing with a powerful neighbour who only recently brought you to humiliating heel through hard nosed bullying and forceful coercion. Well don’t be surprised if others take note of that and start to slap you around as well if that is the only thing you are showing you respond to.
solarz
Brigadier
Frankly, we're all aware of the blatant hypocrisy of Western countries, but it is what it is. In international politics, nobody gives you brownie points for sticking to your guns.
Realistically, Canada is almost completely reliant on the US. Even if it wanted to, and a large segment of the Canadian population don't want to, Canada cannot afford to cut itself off from the US anytime soon.
Therefore, it's better to be hypocrite and pragmatic when necessary, than to be principled and get steamrolled.
Oh I wish it was as innocent as some name calling. Early on in the new NAFTA negotiations, Trudeau did try to appear principled and capitalize on his differences with Trump. However, this resulted in the trade negotiations stalling, and Trudeau never tried to criticize Trump again. I think we can all read between the lines and guess what had happened.
Trudeau Sr was a much more gutsy man than Justin. He visited China before Nixon and openly admired Mao. He danced a pirouette while waking behind Queen Elizabeth to protest/mock Canada's need for a monarchy. Yet, when it came to the US, even he said Canada was a mouse in bed with an elephant.
The only Canadian Prime Minister in living memory who openly defied the Americans was Jean Chretien who refused to follow Bush into Iraq. Yet even then, Canada still had to contribute, just under the media radar.
The New York times. Oh boy, Germany Merkel see through him, and decided not to attend G7. And even Boris and Justin came out against Trump to bringing Russia back into a G8
Embattled at Home, Trump Finds Himself Isolated Abroad, Too
After years of snubs and American unilateralism, European allies have stopped looking to the president for leadership, and are turning their backs on him.
Rest of the article:
Embattled at Home, Trump Finds Himself Isolated Abroad, Too
After years of snubs and American unilateralism, European allies have stopped looking to the president for leadership, and are turning their backs on him.
Rest of the article:
Even Russia is skeptical and cautious about the invitation.
Trump relayed his idea to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone conversation Monday. While Putin's reaction has not been made public, his press secretary expressed caution toward the invite.
This initiative "should be discussed through diplomatic channels and our diplomats will maintain contacts to get additional information from American partners," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.
Last year, Peskov said it was not the goal of Russia, which was suspended from the group in 2014 after it annexed Crimea, to return to the G-7.
"In any case, Russia thinks that now it is not very efficient to discuss global problems in geopolitics, security or economy without China and India," he added Tuesday, saying it would be better to discuss issues with the Group of 20.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
Well Canada isn’t the first nor will it be the last ‘small’ country to find itself next to an overwhelmingly more powerful neighbour.
There are countless examples throughout history right up to present day that shows how a smaller, weaker power could quite easily manage and counter a much more powerful neighbour.
The key is to have balanced relationships with your powerful neighbour and its biggest and most powerful rival, to play the two against each other to your own benefit.
Canada has no-one to blame but itself for its present humiliating predicament because of its stupidity in going all in with Trump’s America by openly and fundamentally damaging its relations with China.
Imagine the cards Canada could have easily played to counter Trump’s bullying over NAFTA and other recent affronts had it’s leaders had the maturity and honesty to openly play America off against China.
Trump wants to play hardball over NAFTA? Meng’s extradition case is dismissed with her free to go and Canada formally approaches China to discuss a free trade deal.
You get to have fair relations AND don’t have to look like a total tool trying to dance around the ego of Trump when asked a simple question. Imagine that!
solarz
Brigadier
The battle lines are cementing. We are seeing a new world order coalescing before our eyes.
solarz
Brigadier
Not gonna happen Wolf. Any Canadian politician that dismisses Meng's extradition would be committing political suicide. Canadians literally cares more about "Evil Chinese Influences" than the US eating their lunch. Sad, but true.
This is interesting. Will be very bad for Chinese nationals stuck in the US unless Beijing orders all their airlines to bring them back before the dateline. Of course, 'plans' can take a while and can be canceled. We'll have to wait and see if anything happens.
Oh Yes, it was definately more than name calling. (Although that was bad enough). And yes the relationship between the two nations is definately one sided.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the Canadians. It is what it is, politics and geography being what it is. The Canadians is destined to play second fiddle to the mighty neighbour down south.
Normally, this won't be a problem because usually both countries interest aligned. It becomes a problem from time to time like Iraq war, and Trump. I think the Canadians need to move away from your southern neighbour more and align yourself with Europe more. Easier said than done I know.
This reminded me of a very old joke.
"This is the USS mighty to unidentify ship, please turn to starboard to avoide collison, over"
"To the USS mighty, Negative please can you turn starboard, over"
"To unidenty ship, this is USS mighty. The most powerful warship in the USA. Please comply and turn to starboard over"!
To the USA mighty, this is the Canadian coastguard lighthouse, please comply over"!
Yeah, I forgot to mentioned that even Putin is turning away from him! Lol
Last edited: