You can post in reply to something specific and have it be rhetorical - use a dictionary.

For example: do you actually have something substantive to share, or do you just enjoy trolling/being a dick?

No, it was rhetorical for this post, I must have responded to the wrong sub-thread.

I am not in Trump's or Pompeo's head, so I can't assume, like you and others, what people are thinking (whether protectionist or not). Objectively, though, I think that anything that cuts the many tentacles of the CCP reaching across the world is a good thing, and that includes any and all Chinese corporations. Ideological wars nowadays are fought economically; you'd have to be stupid to financially enable those which will counter your own interests. This could be the motivation of the Federal government, or it could be because Trump had a bad day. We'll never know, but I'm not going to make rash assumptions like you.

You may disagree, and that's fine. The thing is, there are many areas in which American companies are not dominant - European ones are, and we happily buy and use their products. e.g., Nokia/Ericsson for 5G infrastructure being one example. We've cannibalized on our own auto industry over the years and gone full Japanese because Americans actively despise the quality of domestic cars (save for trucks). If blind protectionism were being exercised, it would be exercised across the board, including in those industries where China is not competitive. But somehow we've singled out China. I wonder why (/sarcasm/rhetorical).

It's easy to scream protectionism and there's a lot of sentiment that that is what's happening, but the thing is that China has thoroughly shown that it will use any leverage it gains to further it's interests abroad and in the US, and those interests are contrary to my beliefs in large part, the ideology of my country. What they do in their country is their business, but we're not obligated to enable it abroad and within our borders.

Yes I agree. It was a rhetorical question/point to be made.

>> In China, the payment system is not based on credit and there are no deadbeats because there are no bills.

Don't worry, the social credit system is coming.

>> Who do you think ultimately pays that fee?

And big tech does this for free out of the kindness of their heart (whether Chinese or not)??

"This is nothing but witch hunting for anything that can attack China or Chinese companies."

No, we love Taiwan.

Speaking of which: https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/...

"During the event, the company's technical staff explained in detail to CCP members TikTok's video operation mechanism, including its ability to harvest massive amounts of data, carrying out in-depth data mining, and analyzing user behavior. Feng Kaixu (), deputy secretary of the Party committee and deputy editor-in-chief of ByteDance, also introduced the company's business and "party-building work."

Good for you and the Chinese people. Americans are under no obligation to trade with you, to allow you to live or work in the USA and so on.

It's amazing to me that you and hackingbear shit on on the US left and right, yet whine and complain when the US doesn't do something favorable for China. If you're so great, go be awesome and ignore the US.

As a nation and people, you're either incredibly insecure or seriously have something to loose. That is your problem, but this constant whining is getting old.

While I generally agree with you your state listing there is way off. NYC handled it well thanks to Cuomo (it was unwieldy at first but he turned it around). Shows just how much independent power the states have...

New York is only a "Trump state" in that he does business there, he didn't win NY or CA and he's not exactly popular in either state.

Consult 2016 map: https://www.nytimes.com/electi...

There was definitely negligence at the state level.

But to say Trump handled this better than any other leader in the western world is disingenuous and frankly a low bar.

For starters, he has marginalized his own scientists and often makes statements that contradict their expert advice. His refusal to wear a mask has only empowered certain groups within the country who refuse to believe in the science.

"- don't even understand what this item means. I guess I would have to blame the American education for your poor English writing."

No, it's just your poor English comprehension. The comment makes perfect sense. If anything, your grammar is horrendous. It's National Day Golden Week, take the day off ... no one believes your propaganda anyway.

Even the best of countries/regions (Singapore/HongKong/Taiwan) which handled it really well and did all of the right things still have difficulty and multiple waves.

There's two likely explanations: (1) fabricated numbers as you say and/or (2) strict (authoritarian) measures the likes of which do not exist elsewhere which have mitigated spread.

As for the OP, Hackingbear is a well-known propagandist on this website (I challenge you to find one post or article critical of China or pro-US).

And which minority would that be?

By the way, South Asia is mostly India. China/Japan are considered "East Asia".

From where I am sitting, the anger with China in the US does not lay with a minority: - Some working class might be brainwashed into thinking China took their jobs - Some are brainwashed into blaming China for Trump's incompetence in handling COVID - Some rightfully criticize both Trump's handling and China's poor handling of the initial outbreak (even the countries with stellar response are still suffering). - Lots of college-educated middle class working young professionals are tired of seeing the NBA/Hollywood/ (corporate America) kowtow to China.

It's bi-partisan and transcends class lines. I think you're way off the mark.

When it comes to the US and 5G/Huawei, it's not about protecting domestic industry. The US has no domestic 5G solution providers. We rely on Europe.

It is indeed hypocrisy, 100% agreed.

To clarify the language we use on this side of the Atlantic, "partisan" (your idea of independence) and "independent" as we use it are not the same thing. When people say "independent judiciary" in the US, we mean that in general, the judiciary, congress and executive are independent branches. Judges are not compelled to follow whoever is in power "just because". You might find one that is, but you'll also find plenty that aren't.

That is clear from the context of the above posts and this thread, it was to draw a distinction between say, China or Japan, where conviction rates are 99% because everything is not only politicized but what we would call "corrupt" (i.e., one entity/party at all times controls the police, justice department and the judiciary, ...)

A CIA-spying station in the middle of the cold war? Who'd have thought?!

From the link: "The German magazine Der Spiegel reported last June that German lawmakers were invited inside the Bad Aibling station in an unusually open attempt by U.S. officials to dispel rumors of economic espionage."

And here's another link: https://abcnews.go.com/Interna...

"Echelon is said to be operated worldwide by five principal countries: the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is believed to intercept large quantities of telephone, fax, Internet and e-mail communications through satellite receiver stations and possibly spy satellites."

Still want to stretch this to IP theft and government-sponsored espionage?