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I'm not sure that the value of trade vs value of the trade war/ calling-out-genocide has changed, so much as the cost of calling them out was quickly approachin
by beerandt 6y ago
I'm not sure that the value of trade vs value of the trade war/ calling-out-genocide has changed, so much as the cost of calling them out was quickly approaching "inevitable."
It's not like Trump would have had a problem escalating the situation years ago. And if anything, it would have had more political value for him to do it pre-election.
- xyzzy123 6y agoI read it instead as the outgoing president determining that the cost to him of making this call had dropped to zero.
- beerandt 6y agoMaybe- but that didn't change in the days leading up to inauguration. Or even since the pandemic began. I haven't seen anyone in media seriously attack the claim itself. Which shows that political cost wasn't really a concern (even if the Biden admin didn't like the timing of the statement). Again, if it was personal / selfishness, pre-election or earlier would have made more sense. Even as far back as being a distraction from the (1st) impeachment would have been high benefit, low/no cost. People are quick to presume the worst with Trump's motives for a particular action, without necessarily thinking what the preferred/likely action would be, given a particular motive.