This is quite problematic. The US foreign policy should be takeing a 'we're sorry' tact, not a 'do as we say' tact.

For the most part Obama seems to have understood this but the agressive nature of the currency manipulation accusations are out of line and even dangerous. China owns the US, China let the US have years of over consumption, and now the newly elected administration fires a salvo right off the start???

It's clear that the Chinese have been worried about the US intentions regarding geostrategic responses to the shift in global power but there is no need to inflame these tensions further.

quote:

The Chinese government was responding to claims by Tim Geithner, President Obama’s choice for Treasury secretary, who told a Senate nomination hearing on Thursday that China was “manipulating” the renminbi. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/75d83aca-...00779fd2ac.html

It is also extremely important for the US to keep on China's good side because with the stroke of a pen the Chinese can burry the US. One order to sell it all, for any price, and the Chinese leadership absolutely runin the US. Game over.

Yesterday I was discussing this scenario with an economics prof.

"... but that would be the end of capitalisim." he gasped at the thought of the US defaulting.

With the nationalization of banks being considered in the two most capitalist societies my question is... what's left of it?

China frequently spies on trade secrets, hacks government computers, drives it's currency into the ground to encourage more foreign investment etc etc.

Quite frankly, even if it makes the USA hypocritical I think China needs to be set straight.

That's the type of sentiment I'm worried about.

To keep things clear, the issue of what needs to be done is not a point I have any argument for or against at this point.

I just don't like the fact that I think that kind of sentiment could be abused by leaders who whish to forward an agenda / make a power grab. It's an easy scape goat.

I'm of the mind that the question of what to do 'to set China straight' is one that has to be discussed much more. I think a start would be to discuss how the US can best 'engage' China might be a way to ease into the topic.