Politics

[wesheltonj]

(1) Again the Dollar is the Reserve currency. It will continue to be the worlds reserve currency as long as "friends" in the Middle East sell Black Gold in Dollars. Once that stops, then we have to start worrying about debt.

(2) Break a US law no matter where and if the DOJ wants you they are going to get you.

 

[tarbe]

(1) Again the Dollar is the Reserve currency. It will continue to be the worlds reserve currency as long as "friends" in the Middle East sell Black Gold in Dollars. Once that stops, then we have to start worrying about debt.

True...BUT, once the game is over, it will be over so fast none of us will have time to "worry".

One day we will be hearing assurances that all is well. Then...boing!

 

[Hank2211]

It's US technology that is at the root of the issue, not Chinese. Selling US technology to Iran violates US sanctions in general, then the claim is that she tried to further cover up through some slick maneuvers involving other companies who did the actual selling (think money laundering). This is all VERY complex of course, but I have little doubt that it was done. The Chinese have acted with impunity, until now.

And I'm really not concerned that the markets don't like it in the short term. Short term drop is fear based only, while long term is more fact based. So let's see where the market is in a couple of years from now. This is a fight we have to win now, or lose forever. There are TRILLIONS at stake.

Note: If you've never read Sun Tzu's The Art of War, read it. Call me crazy, but I think Trump uses this as part of his "how to outfox Xi" manual, and I think he's using it brilliantly.

I believe @Royal27 is right that what is at issue here is the sale of US technology by a subsidiary of Huawei to Iran in violation of US sanctions. I could be wrong (not a US attorney, just a Canuck one) but I don't believe that it is a violation of US law for a foreign person to violate US sanctions so long as they do it from their own country and there are no US connections. This is why, for example, Canadians have always been able to visit Cuba and able to bring back Cuban cigars, both of which violate US sanctions. So long as the Canadian is resident in Canada, and does not use a US based credit card for example, there is no violation of US law.

This changes once the person comes into possession of US material which may have been exported pursuant to a particular licence. If that material is then on-sold to a country in violation of the licence, or US sanctions, then that can be a violation of US law.

Where I would disagree with Royal27 however, is that he seems to be assuming that Ms. Meng is guilty of the offence with which she may eventually be charged. There are of course many defences, if the violation of US sanctions is in fact the issue, beginning with "it never happened." The fact that she is not apparently personally accused of doing this, but being an officer of a company which owned a subsidiary which it is alleged did this, gives rise to lots more defences.

Just like most of us on this site insisted that Dr. Palmer was innocent until proven guilty, I suggest we might want to do the same for Ms. Meng. I'm not convinced that even if something wrong was done, she can be held responsible for it, or that the law was in fact properly drawn up to include the offence apparently alleged, or that this is something other than a shot across the bow rather than a true criminal prosecution. Time will tell.

 

[Wheels]

Wheels,
Macron was celebrated like a popstar a year and a half ago. He had previously honestly revealed his program: Fight against increasing indebtedness, fight against the dramatic decline of competition in France. That hurts now. In the age of Twitter,Facebook +Co politics becomes public.It is no longer supported by parties, unions and associations.you could negotiate with them and bring them also into the responsibility .To deal seriously with political contents becomes more and more difficult.
Foxi

Foxi,

Liberals have perused a globalist agenda the last couple of decades. Multinational companies have interests that are in conflict with individual nations. Companies that are domiciled in a country do not share the same goals as their home countries. ie: As in our two nations, Ford, BMW, Bank of America, Deutsche Bank. In America we call it Wall Street vs. Main Street.

This is part of the reason there has been a backlash by the common man against the liberal elite across the western world that last few years. In America it started in 2010 with the "tea party movement". The tea party movement had no leadership. It was a grassroots movement against the establishment. Democrats and the establishment Republicans all fought to destroy the tea party and it died still born. Fast forward to 2015 when Trump came down the escalator. No one knew what Trump stood for. He was a Republican who had recently changed parties from a being a Democrat his entire life. Who would have guessed that this pompous, vulgar, arrogant jerk would raise the standard of the tea party and become the leader that was not present in 2010.

Look at what is happening in Europe. Look at the backlash and hatred toward the EU from many of the citizens of the member countries. Five years ago, who would have thought that Orban would be the conservative leader of Europe. Since then you have Austria, Italy that have moved to the right. Farge, Wilder, Le Pen have filled a vacuum in their respective countries. Merkel has gone from "Leader of the free world", to not even leading the CDU in two years. Tusk and Junker are hated as unelected bully bureaucrats making $100 million a year in salary.

I agree that Macron was celebrated like a pop star by the media and the left. He still didn't have major support in France. Just look at the percent of the vote he won in the first round of the election. He won partly due to the percent of people that did not want Le Pen to win. It would be interesting to see how many of the yellow vests would now vote for Le Pen.

The common man in the western world is growing tired of supporting a globalist agenda to the determent of their children and their pocketbooks. We are at the fulcrum. The western world is an interesting place to live in 2018. What an exciting time to be alive.

 

[Foxi]

Foxi,
Tusk and Junker are hated as unelected bully bureaucrats making $100 million a year in salary.

We are at the fulcrum. The western world is an interesting place to live in 2018. What an exciting time to be alive.

Wheels.
There's a lot to what you write.
But in no country in the world do you make 100 million a year in public office.
I would have rather experienced your time in Tanzania, than the present one.
Not my world, but what remains for us ?
Take care
Foxi

 

[Wheels]

I believe @Royal27 is right that what is at issue here is the sale of US technology by a subsidiary of Huawei to Iran in violation of US sanctions. I could be wrong (not a US attorney, just a Canuck one) but I don't believe that it is a violation of US law for a foreign person to violate US sanctions so long as they do it from their own country and there are no US connections. This is why, for example, Canadians have always been able to visit Cuba and able to bring back Cuban cigars, both of which violate US sanctions. So long as the Canadian is resident in Canada, and does not use a US based credit card for example, there is no violation of US law.

This changes once the person comes into possession of US material which may have been exported pursuant to a particular licence. If that material is then on-sold to a country in violation of the licence, or US sanctions, then that can be a violation of US law.

Where I would disagree with Royal27 however, is that he seems to be assuming that Ms. Meng is guilty of the offence with which she may eventually be charged. There are of course many defences, if the violation of US sanctions is in fact the issue, beginning with "it never happened." The fact that she is not apparently personally accused of doing this, but being an officer of a company which owned a subsidiary which it is alleged did this, gives rise to lots more defences.

Just like most of us on this site insisted that Dr. Palmer was innocent until proven guilty, I suggest we might want to do the same for Ms. Meng. I'm not convinced that even if something wrong was done, she can be held responsible for it, or that the law was in fact properly drawn up to include the offence apparently alleged, or that this is something other than a shot across the bow rather than a true criminal prosecution. Time will tell.

I think Royal has done a good job of explaining a logical reason for the arrest.

however

Someone earlier in the thread made mention that Trump and his negotiating team didn't know the arrest was happening when they sat down with Xi in Argentina. I have read the same thing. This makes me wonder if someone from the deep state DOJ is attempting to throw a spanner into the works.

The world does need a reset with China. As Royal said, trillions are at stake. The unfortunate timing of all of this is that most all asset classes are in a bubble due to the world's central banks all supplying easy credit for the past decade, causing a credit bubble to go along with a bubble on everything.

What is it they say about all bubbles? They float around looking for a pins.

 

[Royal27]

Where I would disagree with Royal27 however, is that he seems to be assuming that Ms. Meng is guilty of the offence with which she may eventually be charg

We are in agreement @Hank2211. While I do think that she, her company, or the Chinese Government are likely guilty, I also agree that due process should be followed. And I have no reason to believe it isn't being followed, starting with the arrest. And to your point (which I also made earlier) this may be a shot across the bow, both to the Chinese Government and to Chinese citizens.

I'm also pretty certain that the fact that Canada detained her shows that at least SOMETHING is there. I can't imagine Canada risking the considerable ire of the Chinese government because some low level functionary called Canada and said ,"hey arrest this Chinese lady for us, we will tell ya what she did later. Ok?"

 

[Wheels]

Wheels.
There's a lot to what you write.
But in no country in the world do you make 100 million a year in public office.
I would have rather experienced your time in Tanzania, than the present one.
Not my world, but what remains for us ?
Take care
Foxi

Foxi,

I apologize. You are correct! Thanks for correcting me.

I had read last month that Tusk was the highest paid politician in the world at $100 million. I obviously didn't pay close attention to what I had read, since this includes all of his income and not what he earns in salary as President of the European Council.


https://en.mediamass.net/people/donald-franciszek-tusk/highest-paid.html

Donald Franciszek Tusk tops annual list of highest-paid politicians

In 2016 it looked like the politician’s spectacular career was winding down. Suddenly, he was back on top. People With Money reports on Saturday (December 8) that Tusk is the highest-paid politician in the world, pulling in an astonishing $96 million between November 2017 and November 2018, a nearly $60 million lead over his closest competition.

Tanzania as a kid was a fun time. Can't say I disagree with you there, but we must make the most of where and how we live each day. These are interesting and exciting times.

All the best and have a great Christmas holiday!

 

[nztimb]

This is the most thorough look at the gobalist agenda, where it came from and where it is headed - UNLESS - the sheep of europe wake up and get behind the nationalist movement that has been awakened

 

[Royal27]

Remember I suggested that Trump is using Sun Tzu's strategy and tactics in fighting the Chinese? I'm sure some snickered.

Well, here we are, still just days after the Huawei CFO arrest in Canada, when many thought that the move would severely hamper the U.S/China negotiations. In fact, many thought that the move was part of a plan to do exactly that by parties within the U.S. Government that want Trump to fail with China and elsewhere.

And yet, China has just announced that they will lower tariffs on U.S. autos and they are calling for Trump to take a win/win approach to the trade negotiations. The CHINESE want win/win!! The CHINESE!!! Many of you are familiar with Chinese influence in Africa. Have you ever seen China take a win/win approach there? Ever??? Have they ever taken a win/win approach anywhere for that matter? But, here we are. They have publicly stated that's what they want (and we all know it isn't, unless it's the best they think they can get).

I could certainly still be wrong on all of this. But, I'm more confident I'm not wrong with every passing day. Xi might want to brush up on the Art of War himself, as he seems to have been played quite well by Trump.

https://theconservativetreehouse.co...rade-tariffs-the-dance-continues/#more-157644

 

[Wheels]

+1

It is absolutely amazing the geopolitical pinch Trump has put on Xi.

https://theconservativetreehouse.co...rk-panda-mask-to-expose-red-dragon-influence/



President Trump is putting on a MASSIVE economic squeeze.
♦Squeeze #1. President Trump and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin sanctioned Venezuelaand cut off their access to expanded state owned oil revenue. Venezuela needs more money. China and Russia are already leveraged to the gills in Venezuela and hold 49% of Citgo as collateral for loans outstanding. China and Russia now need to loan more, directly.

However, China cannot engage in economic commerce with Venezuela or they risk losing access to the U.S. banking system. Therefore all current Chinese aid to Maduro comes in the form of IOUs. These ongoing loans are likely impossible to be repaid.

♦Squeeze #2. China’s geopolitical ally, Russia, is already squeezed with losses in energy revenue because of President Trump’s approach toward oil, LNG and coal. Trump, through allies including Saudi Arabia, EU, France (North Africa energy), and domestic production has influenced global energy prices. Additionally, President Trump is demanding NATO countries, specifically Germany, stop supporting financial dependence on Russia.

Meanwhile, and directly connected, Russia is bleeding out financially in Syria. Iran is the financial reserve, but they too are energy price dependent and President Trump is now putting pressure on Iran vis-a-vis new sanctions and new demands on allies.

♦Squeeze #3. In 2017 Trump and Secretary Tillerson, now Secretary Pompeo, put Pakistan on notice they need to get involved in bringing their enabled tribal “extremists” (Taliban) to the table in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s primary investor and economic partner is China. The U.S. removed $900 million in financial support to pressure Pakistan toward a political solution in Afghanistan, China has to fill void. [NOTE: Last month the World Bank began discussions about a financial bailout for Pakistan.] Again, more one-way bleed for China.

♦Squeeze #4. China’s primary economic threat (competition) is next door in India. President Trump has embraced India as leverage over China in trade and pledged ongoing favorable trade deals. The key play is MFN (Most Favored Nation) trade status might flip from China to India. That’s a big play. It would have massive ramifications.

♦Squeeze #5. President Trump launched a USTR Section 301 Trade Investigation into China’s theft of intellectual property. This encompasses every U.S. entity that does manufacturing business with China, particularly aeronautics and technology, and also reaches into the financial services sector.

In March of 2018 U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer completed a section 301 review of China’s trade practices. [SEE HERE] Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974 authorizes the President to take all appropriate action, including retaliation, to obtain the removal of any act, policy, or practice of a foreign government that violates an international trade agreement or is unjustified, unreasonable, or discriminatory, and that burdens or restricts U.S. commerce. However, as talks with China progressed, President Trump shelved the 301 action to see where negotiations would end-up. The May and June, 2018, negotiations between the U.S. and China provided no progress. The 301 review of China was pulled back off the shelf, and President Trump assembles his trade-war strategy. The 301 tariffs/sanctions are currently being worked out with U.S.T.R Robert Lighthizer.

♦Squeeze #6. President Trump, Secretary Ross, Secretary Mnuchin and USTR Robert Lighthizer are dissolving NAFTA in favor of two bilateral agreements; one with Mexico and one with Canada. One of the primary objectives of team U.S.A. is to close the 3rd party loopholes, including dumping and origination, that China uses to gain backdoor access to the U.S. market and avoid trade/tariff restrictions. [China sends parts to Mexico and Canada for assembly and then back-door entry into the U.S. via NAFTA.]

♦Squeeze #7. President Trump has been open, visible and vocal about his intention to shift to bilateral trade renegotiation with China and Southeast Asia immediately after Team U.S.A. concludes with NAFTA. [Current discussions with Japan are ongoing]

♦Squeeze #8. President Trump positioned the U.S. relationship with the E.U. as a massive potential loss for Europe (via Steel, Aluminum, and Auto tariffs) if they did not: (A) shift their trade relationship toward greater reciprocity; and (B) reconsider the size of their trade relationship with China. After initially trying to push-back, Europe acquiesced.

♦Squeeze #9. President Trump has positioned ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) as trade benefactors for assistance with North Korea. Last year the KORUS (South Korea and U.S.) trade deal was renegotiated, and announced in March. The relationship between ASEAN nations and the Trump administration is very strong, and getting stronger. Which leads to…

♦Squeeze #10. President Trump has formed an economic and national security alliance with Shinzo Abe of Japan. It is not accidental that North Korea’s Kim Jong-un fired his last missile over the Northern part of Japan. Quite simply, Beijing told him to. However…

♦Squeeze #11. President Trump cut-off the duplicitous Beijing influence over North Korea by engaging directly with Kim Jong-un. The open exchange and ongoing dialogue has removed much of the ability of Beijing to leverage the DPRK nuclear threat for their own economic benefit. This dialogue was as much, if not more, about dismantling the Beijing geopolitical influence as it was about denuclearizing the Korean peninsula. However, no-one caught on to that part of the strategy.

 

[Hank2211]

Remember I suggested that Trump is using Sun Tzu's strategy and tactics in fighting the Chinese? I'm sure some snickered.

Well, here we are, still just days after the Huawei CFO arrest in Canada, when many thought that the move would severely hamper the U.S/China negotiations. In fact, many thought that the move was part of a plan to do exactly that by parties within the U.S. Government that want Trump to fail with China and elsewhere.

And yet, China has just announced that they will lower tariffs on U.S. autos and they are calling for Trump to take a win/win approach to the trade negotiations. The CHINESE want win/win!! The CHINESE!!! Many of you are familiar with Chinese influence in Africa. Have you ever seen China take a win/win approach there? Ever??? Have they ever taken a win/win approach anywhere for that matter? But, here we are. They have publicly stated that's what they want (and we all know it isn't, unless it's the best they think they can get).

I could certainly still be wrong on all of this. But, I'm more confident I'm not wrong with every passing day. Xi might want to brush up on the Art of War himself, as he seems to have been played quite well by Trump.

https://theconservativetreehouse.co...rade-tariffs-the-dance-continues/#more-157644

Seems to me that it might be Canada that got played . . . our trade with China is being hurt, the Canadian ambassador to China was called out to what passes for a woodshed in Beijing and then a former Canadian diplomat was detained in China without any reason being given . . .

Just trying to see what's in this for Canada . . .

 

[Wheels]

Seems to me that it might be Canada that got played . . . our trade with China is being hurt, the Canadian ambassador to China was called out to what passes for a woodshed in Beijing and then a former Canadian diplomat was detained in China without any reason being given . . .

Just trying to see what's in this for Canada . . .

Unfortunately it does seem that Canada has gotten stuck in the middle of the Huawei CFO arrest. It will be interesting to find out the impetus for the arrest. Is there something truly significant that she and her company has done or not?

I presume that Canadian law requires America to disclose details, even if top secret, prior to making the arrest and extradition. If this was a requirement, then it would indicate Canadian judicial buy in to the arrest. Do you know if Canadian law requires this?

 

[Hank2211]

Unfortunately it does seem that Canada has gotten stuck in the middle of the Huawei CFO arrest. It will be interesting to find out the impetus for the arrest. Is there something truly significant that she and her company has done or not?

I presume that Canadian law requires America to disclose details, even if top secret, prior to making the arrest and extradition. If this was a requirement, then it would indicate Canadian judicial buy in to the arrest. Do you know if Canadian law requires this?

@Wheels, my understanding (and I've done virtually no research on this so stand to be corrected) is that under the treaty between Canada and the US, nothing of substance beyond the request need be provided at this early stage. If the individual chooses to fight the extradition, then the basis of the claim will need to be made out in court, because extradition is only available in certain cases and for certain offences. But otherwise, I think at this point this process is very similar to an Interpol "Red Notice" which countries are expected to act upon without verifying the bona fides of the notice.

 

[Pheroze]

Seems to me that it might be Canada that got played . . . our trade with China is being hurt, the Canadian ambassador to China was called out to what passes for a woodshed in Beijing and then a former Canadian diplomat was detained in China without any reason being given . . .

Just trying to see what's in this for Canada . . .

The last time Canada and the USA went down this road Canada extradited a chinese fellow convicted of hacking a defence computer or something. Two Canadians in China were arrested. One was held for over 700 days and both endured torture. So, this seems to be par for the course.

In terms of being played, it does seem to delay any trade deals...but maybe Canada will take the opportunity to redevelop some of our lost manufacturing business? Could be a bit of a good thing?

 

[Wheels]

@Wheels, my understanding (and I've done virtually no research on this so stand to be corrected) is that under the treaty between Canada and the US, nothing of substance beyond the request need be provided at this early stage. If the individual chooses to fight the extradition, then the basis of the claim will need to be made out in court, because extradition is only available in certain cases and for certain offences. But otherwise, I think at this point this process is very similar to an Interpol "Red Notice" which countries are expected to act upon without verifying the bona fides of the notice.

The last time Canada and the USA went down this road Canada extradited a chinese fellow convicted of hacking a defence computer or something. Two Canadians in China were arrested. One was held for over 700 days and both endured torture. So, this seems to be par for the course.

In terms of being played, it does seem to delay any trade deals...but maybe Canada will take the opportunity to redevelop some of our lost manufacturing business? Could be a bit of a good thing?

Thanks for the information. Since this seems to be a USA vs China spat, it is unfortunate that Canada has gotten stuck between two elephants in musth.

I do hope that Canada is able to rebuild it's manufacturing base. The loss of the minerals mining/ore/metals industries due to greens is especially devastating with USMCA. A complete reset between North America and China will really help manufacturing in North America. Especially since the percentages went from 62.5% up to 75%.

Long term we will be better off. Unfortunately the short term may coincide with a world wide recession compounded by some asset bubbles popping.

 

[Wheels]

@Wheels, my understanding (and I've done virtually no research on this so stand to be corrected) is that under the treaty between Canada and the US, nothing of substance beyond the request need be provided at this early stage. If the individual chooses to fight the extradition, then the basis of the claim will need to be made out in court, because extradition is only available in certain cases and for certain offences. But otherwise, I think at this point this process is very similar to an Interpol "Red Notice" which countries are expected to act upon without verifying the bona fides of the notice.

The following story is an opinion piece, but it seems to shed the best light on the Huawei CFO arrest that I have read. Evidently a warrant for her arrest has been outstanding since August. Her travel just happened to be during the G20. Canada has a strong extradition treaty with the USA. The CFO was in transit to Mexico when arrested and may have considered herself safe.

The article also makes it look like the communist party may have given her up and that she was a loose cannon in need of a lesson.

If this is all true, hopefully the arrest of the Canadian citizen will be short lived and without torture.

Also the article was written prior to her making bail yesterday, so is dated.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018...ing-about-huawei-cfo-arrest-doesnt-make-sense

 

[Pheroze]

Our voracious need for cheap goods has fed this beast.

‘I just can’t believe they would do it again’: Once seized by Chinese authorities, Julia Garratt laments case of Michael Kovrig
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/wor...hey-would-do-it-again-once-seized-by-chinese/

 

[Wheels]

Our voracious need for cheap goods has fed this beast.

‘I just can’t believe they would do it again’: Once seized by Chinese authorities, Julia Garratt laments case of Michael Kovrig
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/wor...hey-would-do-it-again-once-seized-by-chinese/

Thanks for the read. I was unfamiliar with the case.

 

[Pheroze]

And, now what? We will have to see what this means for Canadians.

Trump has just harmed his own government’s case
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-trump-has-just-harmed-his-own-governments-case/