Clash of the Superpowers: America vs China review – Trump vomits all over Norma Percy’s film
Why it matters: This film offers a crucial look into the chaotic origins of the US-China trade war and Trump's disruptive impact on global diplomacy.
- Norma Percy's documentary deviates from her usual nuanced diplomatic dramas, becoming a "Donald Trump show" due to his unpredictable and disruptive influence on international relations.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping initially positioned himself as a champion of free trade at the 2017 Davos forum, a move seen as pre-empting Donald Trump's impending inauguration and his protectionist stance.
- Donald Trump's administration initiated a trade war fueled by resentment of China's economic strength, with his advisors divided between those advocating for traditional engagement and those pushing for aggressive tariffs.
- National security adviser HR McMaster characterized Trump as "reflexively contrarian," underscoring the challenge diplomats faced in anticipating his actions and motivations.
Norma Percy's documentary, "Clash of the Superpowers: America vs China," chronicles the tumultuous US-China trade war ignited by Donald Trump's presidency, contrasting his unpredictable approach with traditional diplomatic norms. The film, using first-hand testimonies, highlights the clash between Trump's anti-China rhetoric and Xi Jinping's initial Davos speech championing free trade, revealing the internal divisions among Trump's advisors on how to confront China's economic power.
