A scathing editorial in the Aug. 21 Global Times, the influential semi-official Chinese English-language publication, rips into the Trump administration’s announced “economic D-Day” sanctions against Iran, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s preposterous demand that China had better “get with the program.” Excerpts follow:
“The so-called ‘economic D-Day’ operation is less a new offensive launched by the US against Iran than it is yet another attempt by Washington to cut its losses as quickly as possible and extricate itself from the quagmire of the Middle East—a move to change tactics and keep gambling after military means have proven ineffective….
“The US has set its own house on fire, yet it wants the whole world to help fan the flames, making the blaze even bigger—and in the end, it expects everyone else to foot the bill. Who would want to be such a patsy? The US has repeatedly labeled European nations ‘cowards’ for refusing to join the war, further provoking a strong backlash from its European allies and creating a rare, deep seated rift in the alliance system.
“If the US cannot even rally its own allies, it certainly cannot expect to boss China around. China has consistently opposed unilateral bullying and long-arm jurisdiction…. Once this US logic is accepted, international trade would no longer be normal exchanges between nations. Instead, it would devolve into an absurd situation where the US unilaterally sets the rules and the flow of all goods must be approved by the US…. There is no doubt that the world would be reverting to the law of the jungle, where the basic rules of modern civilized society will cease to exist.”
The Global Times ventured a proposal: “Only a comprehensive ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities can fundamentally create the conditions for easing tensions…. Ultimately, those who tied the knot must be the ones to untie it; this knot can and must be resolved by the parties directly involved…. Not only will China not play along with the US’s ‘reckless games’ on the Iran issue, but the international community will not stand with Washington either….
“An immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, the prompt resumption of peace talks, the restoration of navigation through the strait, and upholding the authority of the UN Charter…. Only by abandoning the Cold War mentality of confrontation, setting aside the tool of maximum pressure, and returning to the proper track of dialogue and negotiation can Washington cut its losses in time and make a dignified exit.”
