All eyes are now on which nation will allow itself to become the first victim of US bullying by submitting to demands for a humiliating trade agreement. This nation will be labeled as the “KTA Nation Number One”. “KTA” stands for “Kiss Trump’s Ass”, a phrase that refers to US President Donald Trump’s insulting claim in a speech that “many countries are pleading to negotiate tariffs with us — they are kissing my ass!” Such a nation will bring shame upon itself and its entire population.
That is why it is improbable that China will kowtow to US bullying. Instead, China has set a strong example to the world by taking a firm stand and implementing retaliatory measures against the absurd US tariffs of up to 245 percent on Chinese imports. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently released a bilingual video titled Never Kneel Down, to communicate its stance to the world. As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated, “Compromise and backing down will only embolden the bully.”
Canada was the first country after China to take a firm stand against the US. Despite Trump’s attempt to interfere with the Canadian election, Canadians chose Mark Carney as prime minister in a crucial election marked by Trump’s tariff policies and annexation comments.
In his victory speech, Carney said, “President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us. That will never happen. ... Our old relationship with the United States, a relationship based on steadily increasing integration, is over. The open global trade system anchored by the United States is over. ... We are over the shock of the American betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons. We have to look out for ourselves ... and that we have many, many other options than the United States to build prosperity for all Canadians. We will strengthen our relations with reliable partners in Europe, Asia and elsewhere.”
That is precisely the stance all other nations should adopt. We should not submit to US bullying, as there are many alternatives to the US for building national prosperity. Canada serves as a prime example of the US’ betrayal of its allies. Despite being one of the most obedient allies, complying with every demand, Canada has faced insults and humiliation from Trump, who suggested that Canada would become the US’ 51st state. It is unlikely that Canada will become the first KTA nation.
Even if a country manages to negotiate a seemingly favorable deal with the US, it should be aware that such an agreement can be easily revoked at Trump’s whim, as he has shown a complete lack of credibility by changing his positions erratically.
I expect France to be the next nation to take a strong stance against American pressure. French President Emmanuel Macron and Trump have a contentious relationship, particularly regarding US trade tariffs and the conflict in Ukraine. At Pope Francis’ funeral, Macron avoided shaking hands with Trump. He should also remember the US’ underhanded tactics in dealings with the French transportation giant Alstom, and know that America is not a reliable trade partner.
US trade accounts for less than 20 percent of the world’s total, and America is not in a position to dictate to the rest of the planet. As long as every nation stands tall, the world will break through the walls of US hegemony
The European Union has already turned to China to enhance bilateral trade, expressing a willingness to renegotiate its tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Carney on his election, stating, “I look forward to working closely together to promote multilateralism and champion free and fair trade.” It seems unlikely that the EU will become a KTA nation. Denmark is also unlikely to kowtow to Trump, having stood up to his insults and threats to take over Greenland. Despite Trump’s overt bullying, the Western mass media has, on the whole, refrained from condemning such aggressive American hegemonic behavior.
Following President Xi Jinping’s successful visit to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, China has strengthened its ties with Association of Southeast Nations members, which are unlikely to compromise their national dignity by succumbing to US pressure.
During the just-concluded BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Brazil, the 11-member bloc — consisting of China, Russia, Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates — reached a consensus to take a strong stance against Washington’s unilateralism and bullying.
Japan serves as another prime example of US betrayal. Despite treating the US as its closest ally, Japan was slapped with a 24 percent new American levy and separate auto tariffs on Japanese cars. I do not believe Japan will bow to US demands, as it has learned a bitter lesson from signing the Plaza Accord in 1985, which led to a prolonged economic slump over the following three decades. The best path forward for Japan is to secure a free trade agreement with China and South Korea.
Indeed, US bullying has backfired, provoking worldwide pushback and damaging the credibility of the US dollar, roiling the financial markets, and creating uncertainties for global business and consumer confidence. Trump has lost all credibility with his repeated but unfulfilled promises to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office. Domestically, Trump has faced significant opposition from political rivals, civil servants, immigrants, universities, businesses, and ordinary citizens. A recent nationwide public protest drew over 5 million people onto the streets.
A recent poll showed that as Trump approached the 100-day mark of his second presidency, his approval rating had plummeted to the lowest level for any US president at this point in office over the past 80 years. According to the poll, the majority of Americans oppose several of his major policy initiatives, express dissatisfaction with the state of the US economy, and are concerned by the prospect of a recession. According to the poll, only 39 percent of respondents approve of Trump’s performance in office, while 55 percent disapprove. In particular, 64 percent of respondents disapprove of Trump’s approach to imposing tariffs on imports, 71 percent believe his tariff policies will exacerbate inflation, 73 percent believe the US economic situation is poor, 53 percent think the economy has worsened since Trump took office, and 72 percent are concerned that his economic policies may trigger a recession in the short term. Unless Trump realizes he needs to change course, his days in the White House will lead to even greater turmoil.
US trade accounts for less than 20 percent of the world’s total, and America is not in a position to dictate to the rest of the planet. As long as every nation stands tall, the world will break through the walls of US hegemony.
The author is an honorary fellow of HKU Space and HK Metropolitan University, and a council member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
