1. Where is Trump leading the world? This week he called Covid-19 'The Plague From China'. He could be on the verge of abandoning the recently agreed first phase trade agreement with China. He talks of completely breaking with China.
2. There is a tendency to make light of what Trump says and does. But be warned. Trump is taking a dangerous path that could end in military conflict with China.
3. Until the pandemic, Trump's attack on China was confined to economic issues: trade war, technology & investment. The pandemic changed all that. Trump was confident he would win the election. But his ratings have plummeted. Desperate to win at all costs. Increasingly reckless.
4. Blames China for Covid-19 in an attempt to deflect attention from his disastrous handling of the pandemic. US's record by far worst in the world. He has sought to demonise China by calling it the 'Wuhan virus' and the 'China virus.' Claims the virus originated from a Wuhan lab
5. China is being branded the Other: irresponsible, cheating, alien, almost the enemy. 'The Plague from China'? It is a short journey from disease to race. This week he picked on a young Chinese journalist from CBS in a blatant racial attack. We know he is a racist.
6. Trump is adopting increasingly military language. Latest eg: the virus worse than Pearl Harbour and Twin Towers, 'worst attack we've ever had.' 'Could have been stopped in China.' The virus is America's greatest enemy and China is the cause. Framing argument in military terms.
7. At the core of Trump's presidential campaign will be a ferocious assault on China.
8. This could all end in military conflict between the US and China. And the reason will be Trump not China.
