"Some have suggested confiscating ... China’s immense holdings in the West ... this might engender economic retaliation we can ill afford ... There is, however, another punishment that costs virtually nothing and would likely be far more potent."
theepochtimes.com/recognize-taiw…
theepochtimes.com/recognize-taiw…
I'm not sure there is any way of decoupling from China that costs nothing. But they are short term costs and the secret of every shakedown is to hide the very real long term price of going along to avoid trouble. The long term price of living with Beijing just got too high.
If the coronavirus incident teaches anything it's there is no free lunch. We forgot at Davos what was taught at Munich. Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas.
If I were Beijing I'd offer to give up Taiwan as an act of voluntary contrition. The pandemic's only getting started in the 3rd world. When this is over stunned populations are going to be very angry. Who knows what penance will be enough then?
