

China secondary sanctions escalator
18 snips Apr 17, 2025
The discussion highlights the escalating tariff conflict between the U.S. and China, driven by a neocon faction advocating drastic increases. It dives into how trade policies have morphed into tools for economic isolation, similar to sanctions against Russia. The podcast also examines China’s mixed signals and its willingness for a managed separation amid U.S. trade uncertainties. Finally, it raises caution about the risks of economic warfare and emphasizes the need for re-industrialization to bolster American prosperity.
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Tariffs as Sanctions on China
- The US tariffs on China function more as sanctions than traditional protectionism.
- This policy aims to isolate China economically, mirroring ineffective sanctions on Russia.
Shift to Geopolitical Sanctions
- The Trump administration's China policy shifted from protecting US industries to a geopolitical sanctions war.
- Secondary sanctions aim to isolate China, but the ultimate goal remains unclear.
Regime Change and Military Risk
- The end goal of US policy towards China is regime change, similar to attempts with Russia.
- Military conflict involving US and China, especially over Taiwan, seems increasingly likely.