Mike Bird

There's always been discussion of a potential Japan, South Korea, China, free trade area, and it's never really come to fruition. Now, if you wanted to make it come to fruition, what you would want is an external threat that was common to all of those countries. I'm not sure that this will actually come out in the wash. I'm not sure there'll be a trade agreement of that nature.

There's always been discussion of a potential Japan, South Korea, China, free trade area, and it's never really come to fruition. Now, if you wanted to make it come to fruition, what you would want is an external threat that was common to all of those countries. I'm not sure that this will actually come out in the wash. I'm not sure there'll be a trade agreement of that nature.

There's always been discussion of a potential Japan, South Korea, China, free trade area, and it's never really come to fruition. Now, if you wanted to make it come to fruition, what you would want is an external threat that was common to all of those countries. I'm not sure that this will actually come out in the wash. I'm not sure there'll be a trade agreement of that nature.

But if I wanted to force one through, these are exactly the circumstances which I'd create to try and do that.

But if I wanted to force one through, these are exactly the circumstances which I'd create to try and do that.

But if I wanted to force one through, these are exactly the circumstances which I'd create to try and do that.

One thing the Chinese government has really struggled with in the past and for good reason is that they don't really have a lot of natural allies or friends. Even in Asia where sort of bellicose decisions around the South China Sea, around China's land borders, you know, difficult negotiating positions have left it. the country without obvious close friends.

One thing the Chinese government has really struggled with in the past and for good reason is that they don't really have a lot of natural allies or friends. Even in Asia where sort of bellicose decisions around the South China Sea, around China's land borders, you know, difficult negotiating positions have left it. the country without obvious close friends.

One thing the Chinese government has really struggled with in the past and for good reason is that they don't really have a lot of natural allies or friends. Even in Asia where sort of bellicose decisions around the South China Sea, around China's land borders, you know, difficult negotiating positions have left it. the country without obvious close friends.

I think the US seriously damaging its own relationships in the region does make things easier on that front. If you listen to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they will tell you and they have done for decades that the US is a country that bullies smaller countries. It talks a sort of high and mighty game about all these lofty ideals of freedom and democracy and human rights.

I think the US seriously damaging its own relationships in the region does make things easier on that front. If you listen to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they will tell you and they have done for decades that the US is a country that bullies smaller countries. It talks a sort of high and mighty game about all these lofty ideals of freedom and democracy and human rights.

I think the US seriously damaging its own relationships in the region does make things easier on that front. If you listen to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they will tell you and they have done for decades that the US is a country that bullies smaller countries. It talks a sort of high and mighty game about all these lofty ideals of freedom and democracy and human rights.

But in reality, it's just looking out for itself. Basically, I think these tariffs make that argument a lot easier to make in large parts of Asia. And I think to countries that are US allies, this will be very difficult. And these countries feel like they're being really set upon by decisions made in DC. That is a really natural opening for the Chinese government. It's a huge opportunity for them.

But in reality, it's just looking out for itself. Basically, I think these tariffs make that argument a lot easier to make in large parts of Asia. And I think to countries that are US allies, this will be very difficult. And these countries feel like they're being really set upon by decisions made in DC. That is a really natural opening for the Chinese government. It's a huge opportunity for them.

But in reality, it's just looking out for itself. Basically, I think these tariffs make that argument a lot easier to make in large parts of Asia. And I think to countries that are US allies, this will be very difficult. And these countries feel like they're being really set upon by decisions made in DC. That is a really natural opening for the Chinese government. It's a huge opportunity for them.

You know, you couldn't have drafted these conditions better if you were a Chinese diplomat. You know, this is the absolute perfect storm from that perspective.

You know, you couldn't have drafted these conditions better if you were a Chinese diplomat. You know, this is the absolute perfect storm from that perspective.

You know, you couldn't have drafted these conditions better if you were a Chinese diplomat. You know, this is the absolute perfect storm from that perspective.