Morgan Ortegas on Trump Advisor's Complicated History with China

The advisor's history with China is marked by unconventional views, starting with his teaching of a Communist Party-approved course during the Tiananmen Square Massacre. He believed that U.S. educational narratives should avoid depicting China as a threat, focusing instead on its complexities. His extensive engagement with China included nearly annual visits from 1992 to 2003 and establishing a summer program for U.S. students backed by Chinese authorities. His choice of China as a honeymoon destination in 1994 further illustrates his deep ties. In 2007, he dismissed U.S. concerns about China as exaggerated and likened the bilateral relationship to that of a drug user and pusher, indicating a belief in the relationship's complexity. Even in 2019, he continued to support stronger economic ties with China, advocating for a lasting partnership despite acknowledging ongoing human rights issues, while praising the nation and sharing positive personal experiences. This pattern of views underscores a perplexing yet consistent perspective on the U.S.-China relationship.