Mike Norman Economics

Tim Cook's worst nightmare. But not just Apple. American products used to cool. Now, the coolness factor is disappearing.China had already completed its export-dependent phase of the economic plan, and was already embarking on increasing consumption-share of GDP. This just hastens the transition as the government is forced to increase domestic demand through stimulus to maintain employment.Zero HedgeiPhones Are Now "Embarrassing" In China As Trade War DeepensTyler Durden

The conclusions of the latest confidential report by the Rand Corporation were recently made public in a « Brief ». They explain how to wage a new Cold War against Russia. Certain recommendations have already been implemented, but this systemic exposure enables us to understand their true objective.… What America's best and brightest are up to these days. Strategic Culture FoundationRand Corp: how to destroy RussiaManlio Dinucci

Brook no competitors. Huawei is nothing new. But taking a country the size of China is. The US did not need the Japanese or French markets. The Chinese market is quite a different matter.KenyaTalkBefore the US started harassing Huawei, there was Toshiba of Japan and Alstom of France in the same boat OkwonkwoSee also The consequence of the the 737 MAX accidents give China a tool to exert pressure of its own. The credibility of the U.S. regulator FAA is damaged as it was the last one to...

How the West rewrites history. Andrei Martyanov sets the record straight.Reminiscence of the FutureHm, Something Is Missing....Andrei Martyanov

A look at the view of Sino-Russian relations in contrast to the reality of their mutually supportive alignment that is not hierarchical and doesn't involve dependence. In other words, a solid relationship that is mutually beneficial.Analytics ValdaiThe West and Russian-Chinese Relations: Stages of DenialVasily Kashin

The European Parliament elections start today and finish at the weekend (May 23-26). The Europe Elects site provides updated information about the opinion polls and seat projections, although given the disastrous showing of the polls in last Saturday’s Australian federal election, one should not take the polling results too seriously. But it is clear that there is an upsurge in the so-called populist parties of the Right at the expense of the traditional core political movements...

Money crankery.So everyone using bullion as money carries scales and assay equipment and keeps up on market fluctuations of bullion on smart phones? Really?Activist PostSigned as Law: Kansas Removes Barrier to the Use of Gold and Silver as Money Michael Muharrey | Communications Director for the Tenth Amendment Center

Huawei’s suppliers in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan (ROC), and Britain are examining if they can continue to make business with Huawei, while some have already declared a suspension in cooperation. The issue is that these non-American companies nonetheless use some American components of technology, and if they proceed they will be sanctioned by the US themselves. It is the same reason why Russia’s Sukhoi did not in the end sell its SSJ-100 airliners to Iran…. Apparently some have forgotten...

"Private enterprise" and "the free market" at work. Ain't capitalism grand.CounterpunchVicious Cycle: The Pentagon Creates Tech Giants and Then Buys their Services T. J. Cole

Worse than the headline. "Unequal treaties" is a hot button for all Chinese as being reminiscent of China's humiliation by Western "gunboat diplomacy." No way Xi can accede to US demands even if he wanted to without jeopardizing his position as leader. Trump was correct in claiming that China backtracked on previously negotiated points. Xi was told to forget it.Checkpoint AsiaXi Was Ready for a Deal With Trump, But the Party and the Politburo Overruled Him Katsuji Nakazawa See also...