Reuters reported that US Secretary of State Rubio said on February 3 that the United States and El Salvador have reached an unprecedented "deportation agreement" in the world. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele proposed and agreed to accept and detain all deportees from the United States, regardless of US citizens, legal residents or people of any nationality, including violent criminals.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement that El Salvador will accept all Salvadoran MS-13 gang members who are illegally staying in the United States, and promised to take over and detain dangerous criminals of any nationality who have been deported from the United States, including US citizens and legal residents.
Bruce also said that the US-El Salvador meeting was "extremely successful" and "will make both countries stronger, safer and more prosperous."
The Daily Mail described that Rubio's visit to El Salvador this time pressured the friendly government to cooperate with the Trump administration's large-scale crackdown on immigration.
In fact, El Salvador will not open the "Terrorist Detention Center" until 2023. There are 8 buildings in the area, which can accommodate up to 40,000 prisoners. It is specially used to deal with the most vicious gang members. It is known as the "world's most terrifying prison."
Japan's TBS TV station once went to the local area for an interview, revealing that "all the prisoners in the prison are murderers". They have to eat with their bare hands to prevent the tableware from becoming a tool for fighting. In addition, the internal security is at the highest battlefield level. The guards and soldiers must cover their faces to hide their identities, otherwise they may be targeted and retaliated by the prisoners in the future.
On 2 February 2025, after U.S. Secretary of State Rubio met with Panamanian President Mulino, who promised not to renew the "Belt and Road" agreement with the CCP. Rubio immediately welcomed Panama's decision and emphasized that this move was a "big step forward" in the relationship between Panama and the United States.
It can be inferred that Rubio must have listed various evidences of the CCP's infiltration and even control of the canal in Panama during the meeting, as well as the harm to the United States, and at the same time gave Mulino the option of cooperating with the United States or the CCP. Although Mulino previously denied that the canal was controlled by the CCP, and the CCP also claimed that "the canal is not directly or indirectly controlled by any major power", judging from Mulino's reaction, it should be tacitly acknowledged that the US accusation is true, which undoubtedly slapped the CCP in the face.
However, the CCP has been deeply involved in Panama for nearly ten years and should not withdraw easily. China and Panama established diplomatic relations in 2017, and Panama was a diplomatic ally of Taiwan before. According to the CCP's style, the CCP must have spent a lot of money to make Panama break off diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Soon after the establishment of diplomatic relations, on December 4, 2018, Xi Jinping flew from Argentina to Panama City for a 20-hour state visit. The then Panamanian President Varela and his wife and Vice President and Foreign Minister Desemaro personally came to greet him. The president and vice president greeted him at the same time, which shows the importance they attached to him. Not only that, they also gave him the highest courtesy of honor guard and military salute.
During the visit, China and Panama signed 19 memorandums of cooperation and treaties, most of which had been agreed upon when Varela visited Beijing in November 2017. Panama also became the first "Belt and Road" partner of the Chinese Communist Party in Latin America. Since then, Chinese capital and Chinese companies have entered Panama in large numbers. China Communications Construction Company and China Harbour Engineering Company won the bid for the fourth canal bridge project with a total cost of US$1.42 billion. Varela also agreed to allocate land at the former US Navy Amador Base at the Pacific end of the canal for the Chinese Communist Party to build a new embassy.
The CCP not only infiltrates Panama from the official level, but also uses the method of united front to establish various Chinese civil organizations in Panama and conduct all-round infiltration of Panamanian society. Among them is a CCP veterans group - Panama Chinese August 1st Federation.
I remember that on 25 December 2024, President Trump posted a long and ironic Christmas message on the platform, which included the words "Merry Christmas to the outstanding soldiers of the Chinese Communist Party." Undoubtedly, the CCP cannot openly station CCP soldiers in Panama, but it can change its appearance. In this regard, the United States is very observant. Trump directly pointed out that there are CCP soldiers behind the Panama Canal, which should not be a casual remark.
Wang Yaozong, chairman of the Panama Chinese August 1st Federation, is from Pingdingshan, Henan. He is about 50 years old this year. He once served in the CCP army, but the specific situation is unknown. He has a close relationship with the CCP Embassy and has participated in official activities organized by the CCP Embassy many times. The Federation is also affiliated with the Panamanian Overseas Chinese Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, which is affiliated with the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China, a department of the Communist Party of China that specifically infiltrates the United Front against overseas governments, organizations and related institutions. The United Front Work Department infiltrates overseas through pro-communist overseas Chinese groups, overseas student organizations, chambers of commerce, CCP-funded media, the China Overseas Friendship Association, and the China Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, and even exports policies to persecute Falun Gong.
For example, in March 2018, the Panamanian Overseas Chinese Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China held a symposium on learning the spirit of the two sessions of the Communist Party of China. Many officials including the counselor of the Chinese Communist Embassy attended and spoke, and Wang Yaozong and other groups participated. The group photo shows that at least 14 veterans in camouflage uniforms participated. At that time, the Panamanian Chinese media reported that they were "a beautiful landscape." In addition, there is news online that Wang Yaozong received condolences from the United Front Work Department of the Pingdingshan Municipal Party Committee in Henan Province after returning to his hometown.
As a retired soldier of the Chinese Communist Party, Wang Yaozong and the Chinese August 1st Federation under his control, needless to say, serve the Chinese Communist Party, especially the military, including accepting so-called "veterans" in their prime, cooperating with the Panamanian military, and carrying out organized actions in Panama, especially in controlling the Panama Canal. In this regard, the United States should have obtained evidence and know what the Chinese Communist Party is doing, including small military moves, and active retired soldiers with Chinese Communist military backgrounds should also be targeted.
In 2018, the United States issued a Hoover report, pointing out that the Chinese Communist Party has long infiltrated and manipulated the U.S. government, universities, media, think tanks, enterprises and overseas Chinese communities. Many officials in the U.S. government, members of Congress, and business leaders have deeply colluded with the Chinese Communist Party and sold out the interests of the United States. Then, for a small country like Panama, it is not difficult to imagine to what extent the Chinese Communist Party has infiltrated.
Now that Trump has taken office as president, resisting the Chinese Communist Party and protecting the security of the United States will be one of the most important tasks of the Trump administration, and eliminating the influence of the Chinese Communist Party in Panama is an important step. The success of Rubio's visit is only the first step.
So far, the CCP has not responded to Panama's withdrawal from the "Belt and Road" agreement, but the CCP continues to make small moves behind the scenes on the Panama issue, and Trump should not mind continuing to exert pressure.
News (8)
Big news! Panama plans to cancel its business contract with Li Ka-shing
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio recently named the subsidiary of Cheung Kong Hutchison Holdings, which is controlled by the family of Hong Kong's richest man Li Ka-shing, as a threat to the United States, and threatened that the situation must not continue. Bloomberg News reported that Panama intends to pressure the United States to compromise and is considering canceling the contract with Hong Kong company Hutchison Ports.
The report quoted people familiar with the matter as saying that the government led by President Jose Raul Mulino is weighing the possibility of canceling the contract held by Hutchison Ports, a subsidiary of Cheung Kong Hutchison Holdings Limited.
People familiar with the matter said that Panama has not made any decision yet, and the government will proceed in a way that avoids litigation and follows due process. Neither the Panamanian presidential office nor Hutchison Ports responded to requests for comment.
The report pointed out that if the move is successfully promoted, it will be a great gift to Trump. Hutchison Ports operates two of the five ports near the Panama Canal, located at both ends of the Panama Canal.
During his visit to Panama on the 2nd, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio said that measures must be taken to curb the so-called "unacceptable" influence of China on the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal was built by the United States and control was transferred to Panama in 1999.
The ports operated by Hutchison are located in Balboa and Cristobal. The concession contract was first signed in 1997 and renewed in 2021, valid until 2047.
Image : It is reported that Panama intends to pressure the United States to compromise and is considering canceling the contract with Hong Kong company Hutchison Ports. (AFP)
News (9)
Xi Jinping's New Year's Day message failed! China's economic decline is coming
Xi Jinping's New Year's Day message of "maintaining good economic development" fell through, and China's economy continued to show a downward trend in the first month. Sotheby's auction house's e-commerce business also withdrew from mainland China, and China's top 100 real estate companies saw a 16.5% year-on-year sales drop in January. Financial experts believe that the U.S. tax increase will exacerbate China's economic downturn.
News (10)
China's economic downturn has caused houses and luxury goods to be unsalable
In the past few decades, mainland China has been an important market for the British Sotheby's auction house, and Chinese demand has always supported the prices of high-end items but according to the Financial Times on Sunday (2 February 2025), citing three people familiar with the matter, Sotheby's has closed its e-commerce "instant buy" business in mainland China in recent months due to slowing demand in China.
The three sources also revealed that the 280-year-old auction house has also laid off some employees in mainland China, but some key personnel will continue to serve as consultants.
News (11)
Sotheby's cancels its online sales business in mainland China
Image : Web Screenshot
Sotheby's launched the "instant buy" platform in Hong Kong in 2022 and expanded it to mainland China in the first half of 2023 to celebrate its 50th anniversary in Asia. But less than two years later, Sotheby's stopped the business, but Hong Kong continued to implement the "instant purchase" program.
At the beginning of its establishment, Sotheby's promised to allow collectors in mainland China to purchase these luxury goods, fine works of art, etc. immediately around the clock and all year round. As early as during the COVID-19 pandemic, major auction houses including Sotheby's, Christie's and Phillips have been increasing their online sales efforts, and many auction houses see such "one price" platforms as a way to attract entry-level customers who are new to art and luxury goods.
Sotheby's allegedly began holding events downstairs of its China headquarters in Shanghai in 2023, partly to help promote "one price" sales, but a person familiar with the matter said the company has not held any events there since May last year.
News (12)
The global luxury market is in decline
Although Sotheby's told the Financial Times that China remains a key market for art and luxury goods, its Beijing and Shanghai offices remain open and active but because Sotheby's global auction sales fell 24% year-on-year last year, art industry sources said that the withdrawal of China's business was part of the overall withdrawal.
Beijing "1989 Artist" Ji Feng told this station that this proves that the Chinese economy is in a state of decline. The current severe economic deflation will bring very terrible consequences. For Chinese people, when the economy is in decline, they will no longer give priority to purchasing luxury goods, artworks, etc.
Ji Feng said: "Now the economy is deflated, and inflation is not a problem. Everyone is just rising with the tide. Deflation is the worst in the economy. (Beijing) Songzhuang artists often say that when the economy improves, the last thing to enter the house is art, and when the economy is bad, the first thing to leave the house is art."
January 2025 (the green part in the figure) shows that the sales of the top 100 real estate companies in that month fell by 16.5% year-on-year. (China Real Estate Index website)
News (13)
The real estate market continues to be sluggish with no signs of recovery
According to Bloomberg and Chinese media "The Paper" last Friday (31 January 2025), the sales of China's top 100 real estate companies in the first month of the year have re-emerged in a downward trend, down 16.5% year-on-year.
Ji Feng told this station that the housing prices in the suburbs of Beijing where he lives have already fallen below the halved price. This is another indicator of China's economic decline. With the tariff sanctions imposed by the United States, it is expected that China's economy will not improve for at least three to five years.
Ji Feng said: "Now the houses in Yanjiao are not halved, but directly to the legs. Two of our three carriages are dead, and only foreign trade is left. After Trump took office, tariffs have been increased by 10%, and the economy will not pick up in three to five years."
Chinese financial scholar He Jiangbing also believed in an interview with this station that Sotheby's reduction of business in mainland China is obviously related to the economy, and the slump of China's real estate industry is the most obvious and direct result of China's economic decline.
He Jiangbing believes that China's 20-year era of high housing prices is gone forever. The overall reasons include China's economic decline, population shrinkage, and over-development of land economy and real estate, which has led to a housing stock of 600 million.
He Jiangbing said: "House prices in mainland China will only fall. The crazy rise in the past 20 years is impossible. One is the shrinking population; the second is that there are 600 million houses in total, which is in excess and the demand is insufficient; and the other is the economic downturn. There is no bull market in house prices when the economy is down."
As for the future direction of China's economy, He Jiangbing believes that China has been hostile to Western democratic countries for many years, which has led to the current passive "closed-door" state, which is almost equivalent to decoupling, so the economy cannot recover.
He Jiangbing said: "More than 40 years ago, you locked the door yourself, locked it from the inside, and you could unlock it. Now people lock the door and lock you in. It was locked by the Americans, locked from the outside, and the key is not in your hand. The United States, Japan, Australia, South Korea... who have you not offended? That is basically decoupling, and it has returned to the state of 40 years ago."
The Chinese Communist Party authorities are launching a series of measures to try to boost the stock market and the property market, including reducing the borrowing costs of existing mortgages, relaxing restrictions on home purchases in large cities, and reducing home purchase taxes, but with little effect.
Bloomberg reported that analysts remain skeptical about whether China's real estate market can turn around this year. Fitch Ratings estimates that house prices will fall 5% in 2025 and new home sales will fall 10% by area.
News (14)
Zelenskyy is really scared this time
The war between Ukraine and Russia has lasted for nearly three years. Ukraine has been able to fight against Russia until now, and the aid from various countries is an indispensable factor. However, Ukrainian President Zelensky recently pointed out that Ukraine has received less than half of the $177 billion in aid provided by the United States.
X account "Wenzhi" posted on 3 February 2025 that Zelensky said that the U.S. Congress passed $177 billion in aid to Ukraine but Ukraine only received about $75 billion worth of aid, including weapons, training, transportation, humanitarian projects, etc.
Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has never received more than $100 billion worth of aid. He has no idea where the remaining money went.
Zelenskyy emphasized that although some people say that Ukraine has received $200 billion in military aid, that is not true at all.
It is worth noting that when Zelenskyy revealed this fact, Biden was no longer the U.S. president. Some people believe that Zelensky dared to tell the truth only after seeing Biden step down.
In response to Zelenskyy's words, netizens said: "How could this money disappear out of thin air? Each batch of military aid has specific details, there must be something wrong.", "Biden can't have embezzled all this money by himself, I wonder how many people in the top leadership followed suit.", "So the aid the United States said before was actually a blank check?", "For some politicians, war is an opportunity to make money."
Kunlun: Zelenskyy is really scared this time, confessing without fighting, and directly backstabbing Biden and Blinken: Trump asked Musk's DOGE to start auditing all US aid to Ukraine. What if 58% of the money sent by American taxpayers to Zelenskyy never reached Ukraine? Where did the money go? Did the CIA take a portion of it? Did Ukrainian officials and generals get their share of it?
Did the big man in the United States get his share? 10%?
If Zelenskyy's claims are true - he received only $75 billion of the more than $177 billion Washington sent him - what happens next?
Do we shrug and move on, or do we finally demand answers and accountability?
Image : X Video Screenshot
News (15)
Just now, Trump made a "special request" to Ukraine
On 3 February 2025, U.S. President Trump expressed his hope to reach an agreement with Ukraine to allow the United States to obtain Ukraine's rare earth resources in exchange for continued military and economic assistance to Kiev. The proposal seems to echo Zelenskyy's victory plan, allowing the United States to obtain key minerals needed for high-tech industries to deepen the relationship between Ukraine and the Trump administration.
The Financial Times reported that Trump spoke about Ukraine at the White House and said: "We are seeking to reach an agreement that Ukraine will use their rare earth resources and other resources to guarantee the assistance provided by the United States."
Trump also hinted that Kiev is open to this. Trump said: "We invest hundreds of billions of dollars (to aid Ukraine). They have excellent rare earth resources. I want the security of rare earths, and they are willing to do it."
In addition, a person close to Zelenskyy told the Financial Times that Trump's proposal "seems to be consistent with the victory plan in the fall of 2024." The person said that Ukraine has proposed "special conditions" to Trump to cooperate in handling key resources, emphasizing the need to protect these resources from threats from Russia and Iran. He added, "We are ready to cooperate with the United States."
Kiev has large amounts of titanium, iron ore and coal, as well as about 500,000 tons of untapped lithium, with a total value estimated at tens of trillions of dollars. However, some of these resources are at risk of being seized by Russia's offensive forces in the east, or have already fallen under Russian occupation.
Image : UKRAINE-CRISIS/ZELENSKIY-USA REUTERS- Shannon Stapleton
News (16)
Billionaire Elon Musk is working for President Trump as a "special government employee," a White House official confirmed, further solidifying Musk's controversial role in the federal government.
The Associated Press quoted anonymous White House officials on Monday (3 February 2025) as saying that Musk has a government email address and office space in the White House building.
Musk was authorized by Trump and appointed to lead the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) to reduce the size of the federal government. But as the world's richest man and entrepreneur, Musk's status in the federal government has always been controversial.
According to Reuters, citing sources, two senior security officials from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were fired over the weekend when they tried to prevent Musk's DOGE representatives from entering the restricted area of the facility.
USAID is the world's largest single aid agency and plays a key role in global humanitarian aid. In fiscal year 2023, the United States distributed $72 billion in aid around the world, with projects covering women's health in conflict zones, clean water in developing countries, energy security, and anti-corruption efforts.
On Monday morning, USAID headquarters was suddenly closed, and Musk described the agency as "unsalvageable."
Democrats are concerned that Musk is consolidating power within the federal government, acting without supervision, and may even break the law.
In addition, DOGE has been granted access to sensitive payment systems within the U.S. Treasury Department.
White House officials said Musk does not receive a salary. Under federal regulations, he may not be required to file public financial disclosure reports. The official did not provide further details, but emphasized that Musk abides by the law.
Trump expressed support for Musk's work after returning to Washington from Florida on Sunday evening.
Trump said, "I think Elon is doing a great job, he's good at cutting costs. Sometimes we disagree and we don't follow his ideas completely, but I think he's doing a great job."
Trump promised to keep Musk away from matters in the government where there may be conflicts of interest. "If we think there is a conflict or a problem, we won't let him get close, but he does have some very good ideas."
On 3 February 2025, White House officials confirmed that billionaire Elon Musk is working for U.S. President Trump as a "special government employee." (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The appointment period for special government employees is usually up to 130 days. It is unclear how standard ethics agreements and financial disclosure rules will apply to Musk, as his space exploration technology company SpaceX has billions of dollars in federal contracts.
According to USA Today, President Trump said in the Oval Office on Monday that he agreed with "most" of the measures taken by Musk.
Trump said, "Elon can't and won't do anything without our approval, and we will give approval when it's appropriate. If it's not appropriate, we won't approve it, but he will report to us. He's passionate about this, which impressed me because he's still running a big company."
News (17)
Trump stabbed himself with a knife? Global leaders finally understood
The Trump administration suddenly called off the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, but imposed a 10% tariff on mainland Chinese products exported to the United States, which took effect at 12.01 am on 4 February 2025, Eastern Time; CCP China also launched a counterattack, imposing tariffs ranging from 10% to 15% on U.S. crude oil, natural gas, agricultural machinery and other commodities. Xie Jinhe, chairman of Caixin Media, said that Trump's tariff strategy is to rebuild a new world order. At present, the tariffs on Canada and Mexico are suspended, and the mainland China's tariffs are still in place. The next round will target "mainland China's most-favored-nation treatment."
Faced with Trump's new tariffs, mainalnd China also announced retaliatory measures, imposing a 15% tariff on coal and natural gas imported from the United States from next Monday (10 February 2025); and a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, pickup trucks and large-displacement cars. In addition, mainland China also conducted an antitrust investigation on Google and imposed export controls on 25 rare metal products.
Xie Jinhe posted on Facebook that from 6 November 2024 when Trump was confirmed to be elected, to 20 January 2025 when Trump took office, to today, Trump has presented a lot of amazing grand strategies. In less than 3 months, the world has been turning frequently with Trump's baton.
Recently, Hong Kong media have expressed doubts and denials about Trump's analysis and reports. Most of them believe that Trump is just bluffing. Even the well-known economist Tao Dong holds the same view, pointing out that Trump's policies are anticlimactic and ultimately come to nothing.
However, Xie Jinhe believes that if you look closely now, Trump's strategy is gradually becoming clear, and he analyzes it from three aspects.
One is to impose a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico. When Trump announced it on 4 February 2025, he was also shocked! He has always believed that the United States, Canada and Mexico are a common living circle, just like brothers. Mexico exports 467 billion U.S. Dollars to the United States in one year, and Canada also exports 377 billion U.S. Dollars. These products are highly complementary to the United States. The United States is slashing itself with a knife by imposing high tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
Therefore, this is Trump's means, the purpose is to force the Canadian and Mexican governments to respond seriously to the request, and never make a false move. After Trump announced that he would impose tariffs, they responded strongly at first to counterattack, but then softened their stance, and Trump also gave a 30-day deadline. This is the power of weaponized tariffs. Now, Canada and Mexico have suspended, and China's tariffs are still there. In the next round, how Trump responds to China's most-favored-nation treatment may be the focus.
Second, Trump is rebuilding a new world order, and the Panama Canal issue has been answered. The next one is Greenland. In the past, the CCP spread its power around the world, and the United States turned a blind eye. Now Trump is slowly correcting it. He said that the United Nations' money is paid by the United States but the CCP is in control, and the WHO is the same!
These simple words are understood by Americans, and now Trump is really tough. Recently, Honduras and South Africa seem to have suffered. Trump is clear about the accounts, and everyone pays.
Third, Trump's inspiration to global leaders: leaders are like searchlights. You must be strong and powerful, and the world will follow you! Trump's policies may not be understood by everyone at first but he keeps telling everyone to do this, and slowly they will understand.
News (18)
Trump's most powerful blow to the CCP is the release of this document
Just ten days after taking office, Trump launched a multi-faceted crackdown on the CCP. Among them is the issue of accountability for the epidemic that Trump is concerned about.
On 25 January 2025, the CIA issued a statement supporting for the first time the theory that the COVID-19 pandemic originated from an accidental leak from a laboratory in Wuhan, China. On the 31st, White House press secretary Levitt said at a press conference: This truth has been delayed for several years; a few years ago, when President Trump said this, the media laughed at him as a "conspiracy theorist", but now it has been proven that Trump is right.
Indeed, Trump has repeatedly demanded compensation from the CCP, both in 2020 during his first term and in the years after leaving office. For example, in August 2021, Trump said at a rally in Wisconsin, "China and the CCP virus - they must pay compensation. We have been so badly hurt in terms of death and life." "Even if they pay $10 trillion, it won't be enough."
Trump is in power again, and the issue of accountability for the epidemic has naturally become a heavy blow for him to hit the CCP. The CIA has said for years that it cannot determine whether the COVID-19 outbreak is the result of a lab leak or is of natural origin, but has now changed its position. The U.S. Congress is drafting the COVID-19 Victims Complaints Act, which would deprive China of its sovereign immunity and provide private litigation rights against the CCP's arbitrary behavior, such as silencing whistleblowers to conceal important information about the CCP virus (covid).
If accountability for the epidemic is like a sword of Damocles hanging over the CCP's head; then Secretary of State Rubio's first visit to Central America and Panamanian President's promise not to renew the "Belt and Road" agreement with the CCP are a slam into the CCP's black hand reaching into the backyard of the United States.
On 2 February 2025, Rubio embarked on his first official visit since taking office. In a meeting with Panamanian President Mulino, Rubio made it clear that the CCP's current influence and control over the Panama Canal poses a threat to the canal and needs to be changed immediately. After the meeting, Mulino told reporters that Panama's sovereignty over this important waterway is indisputable but at the same time it will address U.S. concerns about control of the Panama Canal. Mulino promised not to renew the Belt and Road Initiative, which he joined in 2017, and added that "we will study the possibility of terminating it early." "I think this visit opens the door to a new relationship... and will increase U.S. investment in Panama as much as possible." Panama will instead seek closer cooperation with the United States.
While the Trump administration is countering the CCP's infiltration in Central America and the Western Hemisphere, it has also used the tariff stick.
On 1 February 2025, Trump signed the latest tariff order, which instructs a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, and a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, and stipulates that the "De minimis" policy for small packages will no longer apply, that is, products below $800 can no longer enter the United States duty-free. These tariffs will officially take effect at 12.01 am Eastern Time on 4 February 2025.
Image : On 3 February 2025, U.S. President Trump spoke to the media after signing an executive order to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund in the Oval Office of the White House. (Jim Watson/AFP)
China, Canada and Mexico are the three largest trading partners of goods with the United States, and they enjoy huge trade surpluses with the United States. On the surface, Trump attacked the three countries at the same time, but in fact, the real blow may fall on the Chinese Communist Party.
The mystery is in the development of the matter: On 3 February 2025, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke with Trump. After the conversation, Trump said that the implementation of U.S.-Mexico tariffs will be postponed for one month.
Why? Trump explained the reason on the social media platform "Truth Social": "It was a very friendly conversation, and she agreed to immediately provide 10,000 Mexican soldiers to the border between Mexico and the United States. These soldiers will be specially designated to prevent the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigrants into the United States." In other words, Mexico showed its willingness to cooperate and no longer confront. The two sides negotiated within a month of suspending the expected tariffs. Trump said: "I look forward to participating in these negotiations with President Sheinbaum as we try to reach a 'deal' between our two countries."
On 3 February 2025, the White House said that President Trump's tariff executive order was misunderstood, "This is not a trade war, this is a drug war." Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, said in an interview with CNBC, "Maybe 100,000 people died last year from fentanyl. Fentanyl was imported from the border between Mexico and Canada. Eighty, ninety, ninety-five percent of Mexicans want the drug war to end, and so do Canadians."
Most commentators believe that Canada will eventually choose to cooperate with the Trump administration like Mexico.
In the end, I am afraid that only the CCP will oppose the United States. In fact, the initiator of the "drug war" is the CCP. According to a special report by the Brookings Institution in 2020, China is the main source of illegal fentanyl substances in the United States. Fentanyl precursor chemicals produced in China are shipped in large quantities to simple drug laboratories in Mexico and Canada, and then the finished products are smuggled into the United States by drug cartels.
During President Trump's first term, he had a fierce confrontation with the CCP over the fentanyl issue, and the two sides finally reached an agreement. However, the CCP regarded the agreement as a word game. Therefore, when Trump returned to the White House this time, he directly attacked the CCP.
The CCP knows that it is in the wrong. However, the CCP has been waging an unlimited war against the United States, acquiescing or even secretly condoning the delivery of fentanyl precursor chemicals to the United States. The Trump administration will not fall into the negotiation trap this time, and will ask the CCP to be serious, including strict verification measures. The CCP is unlikely to agree. Therefore, it is very likely that the CCP will fight with the United States around this 10% tariff. Of course, the CCP is currently facing internal and external troubles, and it may also compromise with the United States after competing with the United States for a period of time.
However, Trump has a more powerful backhand. On January 20, the day Trump took office, he issued the "American Priority Trade Policy Document", which shows a tough trade route, with the CCP as the key target, including five aspects: 1. Review the US-China trade agreement; 2. Review the 301 investigation and potential additional tariffs; 3. Investigate other actions and potential actions of the CCP; 4. Review the permanent normal trade relations (most-favored-nation treatment) granted to China; 5. Review the protection of intellectual property rights. Before April 1, the review and investigation will be completed, and the relevant departments will submit various reports and suggestions to the president. At that time, Trump will pour more ammunition on the CCP.
The above are just a few examples of Trump's first wave of attacks on the CCP. In fact, Trump has more tactical moves, some of which are public and some are not. The CCP has already complained bitterly about Trump. Today, China's economy is in turmoil and the CCP is in fierce internal struggle. The continued attack from Trump will be a major factor in promoting the evolution of the CCP's political situation. How it will evolve in 2025, let's wait and see.
News (19)
The trade war is getting more and more intense, only because the CCP is "self-inflicted"
After taking office, U.S. President Trump officially launched a tariff war, imposing additional tariffs on Chinese imports. Beijing was not to be outdone, and immediately imposed retaliatory tariffs on US products and launched a series of countermeasures. In this regard, Akio Yaita, the former Taipei branch director of Sankei Shimbun, who is familiar with Chinese affairs, bluntly stated that the U.S.-China trade war will only intensify in the future, only because the CCP "brought trouble upon itself"!
In the evening of 4 February 2025, Akio Yaita posted on Facebook, "President Trump of the United States announced on 2 February 2025 that he would impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. The tariff war was launched against the three most important trading partners of the United States at the same time. Although the governments of Canada and Mexico were dissatisfied, they immediately made some concessions. After communication, the United States agreed to postpone the imposition of tariffs for one month."
"But China not only did not make concessions, but also announced retaliatory measures against the United States today. These include a 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas originating from the United States, and a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, large-displacement cars, and pickup trucks. At the same time, the Ministry of Commerce of China also stated that from Tuesday, China will implement export controls on related items such as tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, and indium."
Akio Yaita analyzed and pointed out, "I have not yet found out how much loss these measures will cause to US exports. But China earns hundreds of billions of dollars in trade surpluses from trade with the United States every year. In terms of trade, China is heavily dependent on the US market. Therefore, China's trade with the United States The so-called retaliatory measures of the United States should be able to cause limited damage to the US economy. "
"The funniest thing is that the State Administration for Market Regulation of China also issued an announcement today, saying that Google was suspected of violating the "Anti-Monopoly Law" and has been filed for investigation. You should know that Google announced its withdrawal from the Chinese market as early as 2010, and its search, email and map services are not available. Although some Chinese companies involved in overseas business are still using some Google services, for Google, the turnover is really limited. China is doing this just to save face. "
Finally, Akio Yaita said, "I think if China adopts the same attitude as Canada and Mexico, softens its posture and does something to cooperate with the United States, maybe President Trump will consider giving it a hand. China has adopted this stubborn and stubborn attitude that refuses to admit its mistakes, which seems to make President Trump even more angry. The future U.S.-China trade war can only intensify. As the saying goes, 'Misfortunes sent by heaven can still be defied; misfortunes sent by oneself cannot be survived.' "
News (20)
Trump and Xi formally confront each other, Beijing uses tricks
—Yuan Hongbing: Beijing officials say Xi is "dreaming" about Sino-US relations
On 31 January 2025, U.S. President Trump confirmed to the media in the Oval Office of the White House that a 10% tariff would be imposed on China on 1 February 2025.
After the start of U.S. President Trump's second term, U.S.-China relations have once again become a hot topic of global concern. Yuan Hongbing, a legal scholar living in Australia, revealed in an exclusive interview with The Epoch Times that the CCP was playing tricks on the Panama Canal issue.
Yuan Hongbing said that the second news from the Beijing officialdom was that the CCP was playing tricks on the Panama Canal issue.
In November 2017, Panama became the first Latin American country to officially support the "Belt and Road" infrastructure initiative. After U.S. Secretary of State Rubio met with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino on Sunday (February 2), Panama promised not to renew the "Belt and Road" agreement with the CCP.
Yuan Hongbing said that the CCP is using delaying tactics to deceive the United States. "The CCP judged that Panama was not able to withstand the pressure from the United States. Therefore, Xi Jinping made suggestions to the Panamanian president through the diplomatic department, asking the Panamanian president to take the initiative to issue a statement that he would not renew the Belt and Road agreement, making a gesture to ease the pressure from the United States, but to keep the Panama Canal as it is as much as possible."
"That is, Li Ka-shing's two Hong Kong companies controlled the seaport and the entrance to the sea, making a concession to deceive the United States and reduce the pressure from the United States." Yuan Hongbing explained, "It was actually a conspiracy."
Second, Yuan Hongbing said that Chinese and Hong Kong companies paid to incite the Panamanian people to oppose the United States. Beijing officials revealed that various Chinese and Hong Kong companies investing in Panama should allocate funds specifically to incite the Panamanian people and launch a social movement against the United States. "This has actually happened. These so-called Panamanians who took to the streets to oppose the United States were all bribed by the Chinese Communist Party's tyranny. According to rumors in Beijing's official circles, it costs less than a hundred dollars to bribe one person."
However, after talks with Rubio, Panamanian President Murino said that Panamanian authorities will review some Chinese companies in Panama, including an important 25-year concession renewed in 2021, which was granted to CK Hutchison Holdings, allowing it to operate ports at two entrances to the canal.
On Tuesday (4 February 2025), Bloomberg quoted people familiar with the matter as saying that Murino is weighing the possibility of canceling the contract held by CK Hutchison Holdings. The person reminded that no decision has been made yet, and the government will advance the matter in a way that avoids litigation and follows due process.
News (21)
CCP incites Taiwanese people to oppose the United States
In addition, the CCP not only incites people in Panama to oppose the United States, but also incites Taiwanese people to oppose the United States. Yuan Hongbing said that according to Beijing's official circles, the CCP judged that Trump would start a trade war with Taiwan over the chip issue.
Yuan Hongbing said that Xi Jinping's so-called third instruction to Trump is to ask all the CCP's propaganda agencies and united front agencies to seize the so-called "opportunity". Once Trump launches a trade war against Taiwan on the chip issue, all the united front forces in Taiwan will be mobilized to publicize the unreliable public opinion of the United States, and set off a wave of dissatisfaction with the United States in the entire Taiwanese society.
The CCP has been stirring up "suspicion of the United States" in Taiwan. Gu Liyan, director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), previously stated that there are "suspicion of the United States" from time to time in the international community. He bluntly said, "Don't doubt the commitment of the United States."
Gu Liyan said: "No country has contributed as much to the peace of the Taiwan Strait and the political and economic development of Taiwan as the United States. No country has contributed as much as the United States in the Indo-Pacific region for decades to promote peace, security and prosperity, so I don't think there is any need to doubt the United States' commitment to maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region."
News (22)
Big S did not die of pneumonia? Insiders reveal her real cause of death
Artist Big S (Barbie Hsu) died suddenly of pneumonia complicated by influenza during her trip to Japan at the age of 48. The news was shocking. There were rumors on the Internet that Big S had health problems when she went to Japan and was suspected to have been infected in Taiwan, but according to sources, Big S was actually in good health when she arrived in Tokyo, and the final cause of death was "septicemia".
Big S's health had problems many times. She once revealed that she had a chronic heart disease of mitral valve prolapse, and she had also been in a coma due to hypoxia due to epileptic seizures before giving birth, and she often caught a cold. However, this time she traveled to Japan with her family. According to sources in Tokyo, she was in good health when she arrived in Tokyo. It was only after one or two days in Japan that she suddenly coughed violently, which led to pneumonia. Her physical condition took a sharp turn for the worse and she was sent to the hospital for rescue, but she passed away without ECMO. It is reported that the doctor wrote that the final cause of death was sepsis.
News (23)
China's epidemic breaks out, crematoriums are queuing, and the authorities are hiding the truth
During the New Year, the epidemic in mainland China was extremely fierce, and even some well-known artists could not escape. The number of critically ill patients and sudden deaths is shocking. How shocking is it? The crematoriums in many places are too busy and need to queue for cremation. The Chinese Communist Party authorities continue to conceal it.
Chinese people: "Flu is not a cold, pneumonia can really kill you!"
During the New Year, China's epidemic came fiercely, and outpatient clinics in many places were full, and the number of pneumonia patients in adults and children increased sharply.
On 4 February 2025, the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention claimed that Beijing is still in the so-called high incidence period of respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza. The main prevalent viruses, including influenza A H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes, are antigenically variable and spread quickly.
However, the public revealed that this wave of epidemic is more severe than covid. Whether it is artists or ordinary people, the number of sudden deaths has increased sharply.
Liang Youcheng, a 27-year-old Chinese actor who has participated in many costume dramas, died on the second day of the Chinese New Year due to central nervous system infection; another 38-year-old singer Mi Wanhong suddenly died at home on 31 January.
Chinese people: "When I arrived at the hospital today, I heard a very shocking news. A colleague who was still meeting before New Year's Day has passed away today. He is only in his 30s."
Mr. Liu, a citizen of Jinan, Shandong: "The hospital is full, there are many children and elderly people, and many children died of illness. There are four or five children around me, and they died of pneumonia. I dare not record (video)."
According to people who told NTD, at present, crematoriums in many parts of China are full and need to queue up, and the authorities conceal it.
Mr. Zhang, a citizen of Shenyang: "There is a queue at our local crematorium. I was with my friend two days ago. He said that his two friends' children died. They were all in their twenties. They didn't know what disease they had. It was similar to the old disease (covid)."
However, many people said that they had declared their withdrawal from the CCP's "Party, League, and Team" organizations and silently chanted "Falun Dafa is good!", and they were very fortunate not to be infected with the plague.
Mr. Han, a villager in Linyi, Shandong: "This epidemic is quite serious. There are several people who died in one village. Some are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. I have never had it. I chanted "Falun Dafa is good!""
"News Highlights" host Li Muyang: "I always remind everyone that if you have ever joined the CCP's "Party, League, and Team", you must withdraw as soon as possible. This is called "Three Withdrawals to Ensure Safety". The CCP is afraid that people will know the truth about the epidemic because it is against heaven and earth, against gods and Buddhas, and against humans. God is going to destroy it at this time. If you continue to stay in such an organization, you are in great danger."
News (24)
Analysis: Xi’s military power was weakened not because of Miao Hua’s fall
Recently, senior editor of Nikkei Shimbun, Katsuji Nakazawa, wrote an article reviewing the recent attendance of Xi Jinping, the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, at military galas, saying that Xi's image and influence within the Chinese Communist Party's military have changed.
The article said that official reports of the Chinese Communist Party have obviously downplayed Xi Jinping's presence, while in the past, such reports often highlighted Xi as a core figure. Katsuji Nakazawa believes that this change began after the fall of Miao Hua, Xi Jinping's confidant in the military and former member of the Central Military Commission and director of the Political Work Department of the Military Commission. However, some political analysts said that Xi Jinping's weakening of power in the military was already evident after the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in July last year.
On 17 January 2025, the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China held a cultural performance for veteran officers stationed in Beijing, and Xi Jinping attended the event.
Katsuji Nakazawa wrote on 30 January 2025 that in the long video broadcast by the Chinese Communist Party's official media CCTV this year, Xi Jinping only had one close-up shot, which appeared when he watched a cultural performance.
The article said that in the past, Xi Jinping was regarded as the "core" within the Chinese Communist Party's military, and was clearly separated from Zhang Youxia, He Weidong, and all the former vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China. However, this year's CCTV report showed Xi Jinping walking into the venue with Zhang Youxia and He Weidong, and shaking hands with veteran soldiers. During the performance, the screen showed Xi Jinping sitting between Zhang Youxia, He Weidong and three former vice chairmen of the Military Commission, and then appeared in a large group photo including 11 current and former military leaders.
CCTV's only close-up shot of Xi Jinping appeared at the end of the report, in which he applauded the performers. Nakazawa Katsuji said that this seemed to be a deliberate arrangement to weaken his presence. In contrast, last year's CCTV report on Xi Jinping presented a significantly different way, with a total of 4 close-ups, one of which appeared at the beginning of the video, creating an atmosphere that the entire party seemed to be held specifically for him, rather than an annual event dedicated to retired officers.
Nakazawa Katsuji believes that this change is related to the suspension of Miao Hua, Xi Jinping's confidant in the military, former member of the Central Military Commission and director of the Political Work Department of the Military Commission, for inspection. He said that during the period when Miao Hua led the political work of the military, it became a routine for the military media to highlight Xi Jinping's image and give high-level reports in military-related activities. However, since December last year, the CCP's "Liberation Army Daily" has published a number of commentary articles in succession, emphasizing the importance of "collective leadership" and "intra-party democracy." Since then, close-up shots of Xi Jinping in reports of military activities have significantly decreased.
Analysis: Xi Jinping's military power was reduced before Miao Hua's incident
Chen Pokong, a current affairs analyst living in the United States, believes that Nakaze Keji's view is not accurate. He told the Epoch Times reporter that Xi Jinping's power change in the military did not begin after Miao Hua was dismissed, but as early as last July after the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.
Chen Pokong said that as early as last July after the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping's power structure in the military had changed. At that time, Miao Hua was still the director of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission, but the "Liberation Army Daily" had begun to publish content about democratic centralism. In addition, before the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, Miao Hua had already faced Xi Jinping's abdication - He Hongjun, deputy director of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission, was suddenly promoted to general and appeared in public as executive deputy director. Then, in November last year, the CPC urgently announced that Miao Hua was in trouble.
Chen Pokong said that after Miao Hua was dismissed, he had analyzed which faction had contributed to this result, but it is still difficult to draw a clear conclusion. There is a possibility that Xi Jinping personally took him down, and the possibility that Zhang Youxia's faction pushed him down cannot be ruled out.
Chen Pokong also said that although Miao Hua was Xi Jinping's confidant in the military, once his power was too great, Xi Jinping would be suspicious and take precautions. This is the essence of the CCP's political struggle. Even within the same faction, it is inevitable to stage a drama of fratricide.
Tang Jingyuan, a current affairs analyst, also said in an interview with the Epoch Times reporter that Xi Jinping's presence in the military system has been weakened. This change did not begin with Miao Hua's dismissal, but was already evident when the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee was held in July last year. On July 15, the day of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, Xinhua News Agency published a long article titled "Reformer Xi Jinping" that strongly praised Xi Jinping's personal supremacy, but the article was quickly deleted from the entire network less than a day after it was published.
Tang Jingyuan said that after the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping's previous "one" status has been continuously weakened, and the tone of his personal worship in the official media of the CPC has also obviously cooled down. A more obvious sign appeared at the end of September last year, when the CPC held a reception for the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping and more than a dozen former members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC sat together at the main table. This arrangement was the first time since Xi Jinping established his "core" status at the 19th CPC National Congress.
Tang Jingyuan believes that Xi Jinping's presence was weakened at the CPC military gala in January this year, sending a signal that Xi Jinping is already in a state of collective leadership within the CPC military system. At the same time, Zhang Youxia's status has risen, and the frequency of his appearances in the official media of the CPC has also increased significantly.
"In other words, the decline of Xi Jinping's status and the rise of Zhang Youxia's influence are almost simultaneous." Tang Jingyuan said.
He further stated that the CCP is a political party that attaches great importance to propaganda. If a person's close-up shots in official reports are reduced, the length of the report is shortened, and even the wording is subtly changed, or even the name is deliberately omitted, then this undoubtedly indicates that the person's power has been greatly weakened.
News (25)
Humiliate Xi! China's great revolution is ready to break out. Anti-communism on WeChat survives. Is the CCP unable to control it?
In the early morning of 1 February 2025, Tencent QQ Small World (now renamed QQ Short Video) suddenly appeared a large number of June 4th, humiliating Xi Jinping and other contents.
In the early morning of 1 February 2025, Tencent QQ Small World was suspected of having a serious censorship loophole, and suddenly appeared a large number of June 4th, humiliating and pornographic contents.
So far, most of these contents have been cleared. pic.twitter.com/mhLPmvz0G3
— Li Lao Shi Bu You Lao Shi (@whyyoutouzhele) January 31, 2025
Some netizens left a message under the post saying: "It is very meaningful and can inspire many people", "It proves that anti-communist forces are promoting the outbreak of revolution, and the anger and dissatisfaction with Er Bai Jin has reached the extreme".
At present, most of these contents have been cleared, and QQ Short Video users have been banned from logging in. In response, the CCP CCTV reported that there is a large amount of pornographic information in the "Small World" section of Tencent QQ.
Netizens on the overseas X platform left messages saying, "Is it because I usually try to post but was blocked by the review, and today I succeeded, or I just posted it today." "My seven ins and outs for several hours are more exciting and colorful than the Spring Festival Gala, right?" "Tencent still has time to abandon the dark and join the light to avoid being liquidated in the future." "It seems that the positions responsible for manual review during the Spring Festival are seriously understaffed!"
On 31 January 2025, a large number of netizens on Douyin left messages under a video titled "The National Revolutionary Army wishes you a happy new year": "Is our team back?" Some people replied: "Soon", "It should be soon under this situation", "This is how to make a wish for the new year."
Netizen contribution
"The seeds of revolution have sprouted"
A video of the "National Revolutionary Army" on Douyin, a large number of netizens shouted "Our team is back!", "Go home for the New Year!" and other slogans in support of the National Army pic.twitter.com/yvYau10MF7
— Qingsi Teacher Talks about Governing the Country (@woyongdehuawei) January 31, 2025
However, some people said: "The time is not yet ripe, the enemy has guns and cannons, and we can't beat them" "Brothers of the Northwest Army, come back."
On the same day, a netizen said that he had no problem posting some "anti-communist" remarks on WeChat Moments. The content of the netizen's post included "Counterattack the mainland, counterattack the mainland, counterattack the mainland, inherit the ambitions of the founding father." "In the future, there will definitely be another uprising to overthrow the CCP's tyranny, so that organ harvesting, telecom fraud, and freedom of speech (not) may all disappear."
You see, I have no problem posting counterattacks on the mainland. I told you I'm hard to kill🤓 pic.twitter.com/8vQ0NYCvkg
— xukimasa (@xukimasa233) January 31, 2025
Netizen Tt said that it can be posted, but others can't see it. Netizen ChenKelly156881 said that there is no problem with the international version of WeChat. Mainlanders can see it, but the mainland police can't see it. The data has been separated and they can't control it. The data is not in the mainland.
However, the netizen who posted the above responded: "Just now several friends contacted me on LINE and said that they can see my WeChat Moments information. All! It means that everyone can see it."
Another netizen bakajinping said that counterattacking the mainland is anti-communist, not anti-Xi.
Netizen iverffd_w said that the old man in Shanghai said that within three years, there will be chaos.
