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Strategies & Market Trends : 2026 TeoTwawKi ... 2032 Darkest Interregnum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Maurice Winn who wrote (143422)	9/13/2018 10:36:29 PM
From: TobagoJack	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 217768

that was some piece of thought compilation. must dwell on it over time. shall revert. but top of mind thought re <<It's now over 3 years since Tarken, named after Tarkan, ... despaired at life and ended it. I said at the time that the little friend of all the world was like a canary in a coal mine.>> ... no parent should have to experience / endure such a loss. other than that i am at loss for words. in the mean time, that we are helping the mama cat and she taking care of the calico / tortoiseshell toddler girl cat Message 31787832 , the two other toddler cats also showed up this morning. erita is happy that the cats are okay. jack is happy that erita is happy. all good. the kids are well aware that they never ever saw papa cats w/ the kittens around in any generation of the cat population that frequent our backyard. they also know people are different, but not always. the 'smudge' in upper left hand corner of above pic is reflecting off of the glass door of the room i am in. i find populating my hangout cave view helps me. both erita and jack likes to hangout in same cave, and often together.

To: Maurice Winn who wrote (143422)	9/14/2018 9:17:47 AM
From: TobagoJack	Respond to of 217768

it is interesting to me that apparently team china sees the state of israel as origin of a lot of very interesting ideas, but also sees same of mother russia, and see much merit to cooperate w/ both, so as to better save the world this system is very interesting ... think team america must press mother russia to sell the goods to engage w/ global trade

To: Maurice Winn who wrote (143422)	9/14/2018 10:01:39 AM
From: TobagoJack	Respond to of 217768

usa must redouble the crackdown on japan worldview.stratfor.com China, Japan: Relations Continue to Thaw Amid Talk of Joint Infrastructure ProjectsWhat HappenedAs part of their monthslong process to mend fences, China and Japan are establishing closer business ties through overseas infrastructure projects. Leaders of both countries are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding for 20 to 30 projects related to China's Belt and Road Initiative when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe embarks on his highly anticipated trip to Beijing in October. This will be after a public-private committee, scheduled to hold its first meeting in late September in Beijing, is expected to pick specific projects for cooperation. A high-speed rail project in Thailand, which aims to connect the country's three main airports — Don Muang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao — is widely seen as a likely candidate for China and Japan's first collaboration. The project is a central component of Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor development plan, which Bangkok hopes will help its eastern provinces and link it with its neighbors. Why It MattersJoint ventures with Japan in a third country would mark a step forward in China's efforts to incorporate other powers, particularly developed states, in its Belt and Road infrastructure projects. Although Beijing has long stated its intent to include other countries, progress has so far been limited. Instead, its dominance in many large projects and its approach to debt financing has earned growing criticism. As Beijing reorients its tactics, it is hoping that the participation of Japan could ease some of the criticism, as well as allow its domestic companies to gain necessary experience and skills. Japanese participation could also pave the way for further third-party involvement elsewhere, because Beijing has signaled its intent to entice core powers of the European Union and even India into the Belt and Road Initiative. Whereas Beijing's logic is primarily strategic, Tokyo's participation is more business-driven. Over the past few years, Chinese and Japanese firms have engaged in fierce competition over infrastructure projects. And the more they competed for market access, the more recipient countries, such as Thailand and Indonesia, could play them off each other for better financing and deals. Meanwhile, though Japanese firms have a reputation for high quality projects and good investment experience, China's state-led approach in infrastructure expansion can be seen as a barrier to Japan's access in some countries. A joint Belt and Road project could turn competition into cooperation, allowing Japanese firms to take advantage of China's platform in regions where Tokyo lacks a foothold. Thus, the joint ventures are most likely to occur in countries where China and Japan compete the most, particularly those in Southeast Asia and, to some extent, Africa and Central Asia. What's NextThe joint venture in overseas projects is part of an overall tactical thaw between China and Japan. Over the past few months, both have worked to manage maritime disputes in the East China Sea and to restore some damaged trade and economic relationships. The thaw has been primarily driven by the evolving dynamics in Northeast Asia, including U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist trade policy and the uncertain yet positive developments on the Korean Peninsula. Still, it does not eliminate the strategic competition between China and Japan. Continued Japanese expansion in the South China Sea, for example, and Tokyo's willingness to take a leading role in U.S.-led infrastructure initiatives to counter the Belt and Road Initiative both reflect a sophisticated balancing act and highlight the underlying conflict of interests between the two powers. But as Beijing works to insulate itself against escalating U.S. trade and strategic pressure, its goal of maintaining amicable relations with neighboring countries could allow Japan, India and those in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to recalibrate their strategies, as well as allow other participating nations to adjust and maximize their shared strategic interests.

To: Maurice Winn who wrote (143422)	9/14/2018 10:03:28 AM
From: TobagoJack	Respond to of 217768

usa must punish germany w/ more gusto bloomberg.com U.S. Warns Russia It May Sanction New Gas Pipeline to Germany Andrey BiryukovSeptember 14, 2018, 1:36 AM GMT+8 The U.S. warned Russia that it may follow through on sanction threats over the construction of a major natural gas pipeline to Germany. Asked if the U.S. might impose punitive measures against Nord Stream 2 and other projects, Energy Secretary Rick Perry answered “yes,” during a joint news conference with his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak on Thursday in Moscow. “Minister Novak and I both agree that getting to that point of sanctions is not where we want to go,” he said. Perry urged Russia to be a “responsible supplier” and to stop using its resources for “influence and disruption,” adding that the U.S. opposes the gas link because it would concentrate two-thirds of Russian exports of the fuel to the European Union in a single choke point. Novak said that Russia was concerned if the U.S. sanctions a “competitive” gas pipeline. Nord Stream 2 would double Russia’s current capacity to deliver natural gas directly to Germany under the Baltic Sea and circumvent Ukraine. The project would be a major supply route to the EU and has been a sore point between the U.S. and its allies. In July, U.S. President Donald Trump slammed what he called German dependence on Russian energy, saying it made the nation “captive” to Moscow. The Kremlin said Trump’s attacks were economically motivated and an attempt to promote U.S. liquefied natural gas in Europe. Later that month, Trump eased his tone after a summit with President Vladimir Putin, saying the U.S. could compete successfully with the Russian gas pipeline even if the project wasn’t in Germany’s best interests. Trump last year signed a law giving him the right to sanction companies involved in Nord Stream 2. Royal Dutch Shell Plc, BASF SE’s Wintershall unit, Uniper SE, OMV AG and Engie SA have agreed to provide Russia’s Gazprom PJSC with financing for the 9.5 billion-euro ($11 billion) pipeline and could be at risk of penalties. You've reached your free article limit. Subscribe now to get unlimited access.

To: Maurice Winn who wrote (143422)	9/14/2018 10:06:48 AM
From: TobagoJack	Respond to of 217768

and germany must be punished for the chinese angle, even as it must be set up as an example w/r to the russian aspect euractiv.com Munich Security Conference Chief: Trump pushes Germany toward Russia and China The longer Donald Trump stays in office, the higher the risk that anti-American forces will gain the upper hand in Germany and push it into the arms of Russia and China, veteran German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger said in an interview. The chairman of the Munich Security Conference and former ambassador to Washington was speaking to Reuters days before the publication of his book “World in Danger”, in which he urges Germans not to giving up on the United States because of Trump, while also pressing them to accept more global responsibility. “The longer Trump remains in office, the harder it will be to stand up to those in this country and elsewhere in Europe who have been arguing since the Vietnam war that we need to cut the cord with America the bully,” Ischinger said. “It would become much harder for the German government to stay the course and defend this relationship,” he said. “And the forces calling for a closer relationship with countries like Russia or China might be emboldened.” Since entering the White House in January last year, Trump has pulled the United States out of the Paris climate accord, left the Iran nuclear deal and threatened to withdraw from the World Trade Organisation (WTO). He has repeatedly attacked Germany for its trade surplus and lack of defense spending, unsettling a country that has long viewed America as its closest ally outside of Europe and a bulwark of its security and defence. A survey by the Pew Research Center last year indicated that only 35% of Germans have a favorable view of the United States under Trump. A poll by the Körber Foundation suggested that Germans see Trump as a bigger foreign policy problem than authoritarian leaders in North Korea, Russia or Turkey. Körber Foundation poll: Germans consider Trump a bigger problem than North Korea — Quartz t.co — Kevin Goheen (@Mrkalman) 22:17 - 10 Dec 2017 ‘Serious violation’ Against this backdrop, some German politicians are urging the government to seek closer ties with Moscow and Beijing – two authoritarian powers whose values diverge from the liberal democracy that Germany has built in the seven decades since it rose from the ashes of World War Two with American help. Chancellor Angela Merkel, a strong believer in the transatlantic relationship, has resisted. Ischinger expressed particular concern about Trump’s use of sanctions as a foreign policy tool, and his threat to punish German and other firms involved in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project with Russia. “If US sanctions are applied to prevent Nord Stream 2, the repercussions will be poisonous for the transatlantic relationship,” he said. “Even if you have doubts about the wisdom of Nord Stream 2, it is hard not to see this as a serious violation, as an instance of the US forcing its views on the Europeans.” Trump begins NATO summit with Nord Stream 2 attack US President Donald Trump launched a strong verbal attack on Germany on Wednesday (11 July) for its support to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, aimed at bringing more Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Ischinger praised Merkel for spelling out the need for Germany to become more independent but said it was high time that her words were translated into action. He estimated that the government would need to raise defense spending by 10-15 billion for the four-year legislative period, if it hopes to meet its most basic commitments. “We’re not where we should be. And you can even argue that we’ve taken a step backwards in recent years,” Ischinger said. “It’s not enough to declare that we want to assume more responsibility. We need to show where the beef is, and that there is beef. There need to be budgetary consequences.

To: Maurice Winn who wrote (143422)	9/14/2018 10:11:22 AM
From: TobagoJack	Respond to of 217768

and japan must never join in the joint development of siberia, that which by belt and road would link china through russia to germany and then on down to africa with side branch to the middle east through turkey such that africa would continue to say "no" to hospitals and railways so that brazilians can continue to climb poles, or some such mixed up world :0) straitstimes.com Japan draws closer to China and Russia at economic forumAs fears linger that the world is on the brink of a second Cold War, Japan pulled closer into China and Russia's orbit yesterday at an economic forum in the Russian port city of Vladivostok, in the absence of leaders from its ally United States. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met Chinese President Xi Jinping for their first summit since last November, when they had vowed a "fresh start" in ties. Mr Xi agreed with Mr Abe's assessment that the "horizon for bilateral cooperation is widening". The Japanese premier's landmark visit to Beijing next month may result in the signing of agreements for 20 to 30 projects related to China's Belt and Road Initiative. Japan has also been courting Russia in pursuit of joint economic activity on the Northern Territories/ Southern Kurils, four disputed islands north of Hokkaido that were occupied by the former Soviet Union in the closing days of World War II. Both countries still do not have a peace treaty, 73 years after the war. But Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise proposal at the forum yesterday: He wants to reach a peace deal "without any preconditions" by the end of the year. He was speaking shortly after Mr Abe had urged him to move stalled negotiations on the islands, asking "If we don't do that now, when will we?" and "If we don't do that, who will?" The leaders were attending the fourth annual Eastern Economic Forum, first held in 2015 as part of Mr Putin's push to build ties with Asia as Moscow's relations with the West soured. The Soviet Union and China were the adversaries of the West during the Cold War. And the West now sees as threats to the world order the rising dominance of China, and Russia's interference with democratic processes. Mr Xi agreed with Mr Putin on Tuesday that their countries will safeguard global peace and stability as bilateral ties have "entered a new period of higher-level and faster development". And yesterday, he said in his meeting with Mr Abe that China-Japan ties have "entered a normal course through the common effort by both sides". "We now face an important opportunity to develop and improve ties," Mr Xi said. Mr Abe is expected to visit Beijing on or around Oct 23, the same day a bilateral friendship and peace treaty had entered into force 40 years ago. Mr Xi is expected to reciprocate the visit in June next year. While ties between Asia's two largest economies have long been volatile, they took a turn for the worse in September 2012, when Tokyo nationalised the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islets. Both countries are still effectively in an arms race - Japan identified China as its key security threat in its defence review this year - but they appear keen to stave off accidental military clashes and began a conflict hotline in June. They have become vocal cheerleaders amid the assault on free trade, and are keen to work together on development projects in third-party countries, including a high-speed rail in Thailand. They also held their first bilateral economic dialogue in eight years this April, and in May, Premier Li Keqiang became the first Chinese premier in as many years to visit Japan. "We will push bilateral ties to a new stage so as to construct a foundation for peace and prosperity in north-east Asia," Mr Abe said. North Korea was also on the agenda of their talks. Mr Abe counts China's influence as crucial towards achieving the complete denuclearisation of North Korea. Mr Xi has already met leader Kim Jong Un three times this year. Mr Abe told the forum that Japan is on the same page as China and Russia on North Korea relinquishing its nuclear arms. And in the hopes of securing the return of Japanese abducted by Pyongyang decades ago, Mr Abe said: "I too must break the shell of mutual distrust, take a step forward, and ultimately meet with Chairman Kim Jong Un." He stressed, however, that nothing has yet been decided on such a summit. As for Japan-Russia ties, Mr Putin told the forum he was "not joking" as he said: "An idea has just come to my mind. Let's conclude a peace treaty before the end of this year, without any preconditions." Mr Abe, who was on the same stage, did not reply. But he had said earlier that the lack of a peace treaty was "an abnormal state of affairs". Japan is concerned with Russia's militarisation of the disputed islands, and wants to at least move ahead on joint economic activity before it considers a peace deal. Top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said this position has not changed.

To: Maurice Winn who wrote (143422)	9/14/2018 10:36:14 AM
From: TobagoJack	Respond to of 217768

africa must be taught to say "no" to doctors, and double-no to hospitals, especially should brazilians say so usa.chinadaily.com.cn Documentary honors China's doctors in Africa [Photo provided to China Daily] History needs to be remembered-the voice-over of a newly-released documentary, Border for Doctors, begins with a line like this, setting out the stall of the documentary crew from the beginning. Comprised of four 45-minute episodes, Border for Doctors recounts touching stories of Chinese medical teams and the African people they have treated over 55 years since the first group of 13 doctors and nurses, dispatched by the Chinese government, arrived in Algeria in April 1963. "In preparing, shooting and editing the show, director Wang Baocheng and I both gave top priority to the truth," says He Yali, the producer of Border for Doctors. "We have recorded the solid friendship established between people in China and Africa through this long-term cooperation," he explains, adding, "We unveil the inside details of the medical staff's work and life, such as how Ebola patients were treated at isolation wards." The production unit have traveled to 14 domestic cities and nine countries in Africa since last February, interviewing over 100 Chinese diplomats, ambassadors, leaders and health ministers of African countries, as well as medical teams and their patients. The series, aired by CCTV on Aug 19 and 20, garnered over 80 million viewers across the country. "The stories are true, as are the laughs and tears of the Chinese doctors and African people on camera," says the producer. "The audiences can feel the kindness and virtue of these medical professionals." Cao Guang, a member of a team that offered medical assistance in Guinea, says the scenes in the documentary brought back memories of the doctors' unforgettable fight against the Ebola virus outbreaks in 2014. Members of the film crew behind Border for Doctors pose with Chinese doctors offering medical services in Madagascar. [Photo provided to China Daily] "I had been isolated for a period of time because I was exposed to some Ebola patients," he recalls. "I was quite stressed, witnessing the pain, suffering-and in some cases, death-of colleagues and patients. However, I had to stay calm and support my teammates. "I knew my family and my country were concerned about our emotional and physical well-being, but the local people needed our help." About 50 Chinese medical professionals have sacrificed their lives on the African continent over the past five decades. The stories narrated in the documentary represent the epitome of China's half-century of medical assistance to Africa, according to Cao. "The documentary showed me the fearlessness of my compatriots and will spread their reputation and that of the Chinese medical teams around the world," he says. "I'm honored to be one of them." Li Wentao, a researcher from the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, says international cooperation in the field of healthcare embodies the spirit of humanity and internationalism, echoing Canadian Doctor Norman Bethune's selfless devotion to the Chinese people more than 80 years ago. "Today, the China-Africa partnership is built on the basis of mutual benefits and win-win results. Dr Bethune's spirit of internationalism is indispensable in this context," says Li. "Those angels in white are messengers of peace and friendship."

To: Maurice Winn who wrote (143422)	9/14/2018 10:38:39 AM
From: TobagoJack	Respond to of 217768

... and punish africa for trying to make africa great again thesouthafrican.com A closer look at the USA’s “increased caution” travel advisory for South AfricaThe USA upped its travel advisory for citizens heading to South Africa from normal to extra this week. Let's take a look at what this means and the context that's missing from a very broad brush. The US state department issued an updated travel advisory for citizens heading for Mzansi. It warns travellers to take extra caution due to “crime, civil unrest, and drought”. Whenever one of these advisories hit, there’s a lot of kerfuffles. This one is no different. The full advisory makes for pretty grim reading, so we’ll give it to you in full and then break it down below. The advisory reads: Violent crime, such as armed robbery, rape, carjacking, mugging, and “smash-and-grab” attacks on vehicles, is common. There is a higher risk of violent crime in the central business districts of major cities after dark. Demonstrations, protests, and strikes occur frequently. These can develop quickly without prior notification, often interrupting traffic, transportation, and other services; such events have the potential to turn violent. South Africa’s Western, Eastern, and Northern Cape Provinces are experiencing a severe drought. Water restrictions in Cape Town, which limit household water use to 50 liters per person per day, remain in effect. Water supplies in some other areas may also be affected. Please see our Alerts for up-to-date information. There’s also a notice about the potential of terrorism, but it’s pretty moderate. If you’re interested in reading the advisory for yourself, you can do so here. These advisories come in three levels, normal precautions, increased caution, reconsider travel and do not travel. This one puts South Africa on the second tier. Breaking down the US travel advisoryThe update comes after the South African Police Service (SAPS) released the annual crime stats this week. We’re not saying that some of the warnings should not be headed, but these should be looked at in the full context. South Africa is a big place. And sure, we know that there are pictures that prove it’s a place you absolutely do not want to visit, but let’s take a step back for a second. We’re not saying the advisory is #FakeNews, but it does require some context. Crime riskThe advisory is right when it says murder has increased, but robbery and hijacking are down compared to the previous year. Yes, there is an increased risk at night, but tourists are unlikely to find themselves in the country’s most dangerous crime hot spots. The droughtsAnd while the Eastern Cape is indeed battling a drought, the Western Cape’s dams are filling up nicely as winter still lingers. In fact, the Western Cape’s dams could reach the 70% full mark by next week. Credit to them, though, for encouraging travels to #SaveLikeALocal to keep those dams steady over the warmer months. ProtestsSouth Africa does have a high-rate of protests, which comes with the risk of violence, but the suggestions that large-scale demonstrations unfold frequently without notice is neither here nor there. Yes, protests do get violent in disadvantaged communities and often mushroom up, but tourists aren’t likely to find themselves in these hot spots. Large-scale protests in major hubs more often than not occur with notice and road closures issued in advance as they require “permission” from authorities according to the Regulation of Gatherings Act.

To: Maurice Winn who wrote (143422)	9/14/2018 10:52:40 AM
From: TobagoJack	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 217768

time for bed. was just having a bit of fun whilst scanning the i.net nite nite, tj

To: Maurice Winn who wrote (143422)	9/14/2018 8:36:34 PM
From: TobagoJack	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 217768

hello maurice, linked videos nqminerals.com of what is happening at the pond of gold and lake of silver do not believe the elmat would understand such history-does-matter simple protocols of taking in already fine dirt put in place by successive generations of predecessors, antecedents, financial martyrs and such, do a tad bit more milling, a lot of filtering, and get at the goodness i remember first info you april 17th 2013 Message 28842211 <<we bought the project and its tailings pond, dredge-standing-by, piping-ready, for 1 3,500-sft hong kong ocean view apartment.>> - long game, hard road, learned much, and worthwhile even if only for the learning i gotta teach the jack this wonderful action that he calls "just digging" - idiots can do it, but myopic 'history-doesn't-matter' pole climbers perhaps not the trouble w/ the history-does-not-matter cabal is that they most likely ceased learning as they believe they know-it-all, and have no more need to treat folks with common courtesy, and so down-grades associations to the extent of ranking them by olives, and so cannot engage w/ situations that require knowledge borne of learning and association the beast has perhaps 300-600+ hong kong ocean view apartments organically, and then can be used to treat tailings from others as on-going biz the project can go on own tailings for 10+ years, then lease out the emptied tailings dam to nearby base metal mines, process those tailings for precious metals, returning clean sand to whomever, essentially performing an environmental-protection function - a sort of win win win win virtuous circle (base metal mine wins some gold / silver credit, project wins gold and silver, environment wins, and government wins) given the impending enveloping macro, maybe just in time not out of the woods yet, anything and everything can go wrong or not go-right, and so watch & brief nqminerals.com mining is relatively interesting from vantage point of hong kong bistro corner, and operating in australia, even if more dear, when compared to the wilds of africa or brazil and have no access to proper hospitals, schools, etc because the locals are taught by know-it-alls to say "no" to such modern necessities

To: Maurice Winn who wrote (143422)	9/15/2018 11:00:48 PM
From: TobagoJack	Respond to of 217768

in the mean time we in hk watch the storm coming, just saw in in-tray potentially profitable, should the HK share market slammed down, with real conviction and genuine sincerity, and with dry cash On 16 Sep 2018, at 10:09 AM, 88888888> wrote: To be sure, no further “confirmation” was necessary when it comes to whether Donald Trump is indeed planning to move ahead with tariffs on an additional $200 billion in Chinese goods. The President effectively confirmed the move in a Thursday tweet and on Friday, Bloomberg reported that he’s instructed aides to go forward with the duties, despite Steve Mnuchin’s efforts to restart negotiations with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He. But just in case you weren’t sure, the Washington Post was out on Saturday afternoon with further confirmation. To wit: President Trump has decided to impose tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods, two people briefed on the decision said, one of the most severe economic restrictions ever imposed by a U.S. president. An announcement is expected to come within days, the people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss internal plans. The new tariffs would apply to more than 1,000 products, including smartphones, televisions and toys. These penalties could drive up the cost of a range of products ahead of the holiday shopping season, though it’s unclear how much. That last passage is key, and it’s something we’ve obviously spent a whole lot of time talking about in these pages. Here are some critical bits from a Goldman note out last weekend, following Trump’s threat to take things up still another notch after the levies on another $200 billion in products are imposed: President Trump said Friday (September 7) that tariffs on an additional $267 billion of imports from China were “ready to go on short notice.” We believe it is more likely than not that the Trump Administration would propose those additional tariffs if China implements the retaliatory tariffs on $60bn of goods noted earlier. However, the outlook is particularly uncertain because the political implications of imposing tariffs on the remaining $267bn of imports would be much different than earlier tariff rounds. Whereas virtually no consumer goods have been targeted by tariffs so far, we estimate about one-fourth of the $200bn in imports subject to the next round of tariffs are consumption goods and, as shown in Exhibit 3, consumer products make up more than half of the remaining US imports from China, and would affect routine consumer purchases like clothing, shoes, mobile phones, and toys. As you can see, consumer products will get hit in the next round and if the President moves ahead with tariffs on another $267 billion in goods, the upward pressure on prices Americans pay for finished goods will become even more acute. The “good” news is, Trump has reportedly decided on a 10% tariff rate this round as opposed to the threatened 25% rate which had the potential to infuriate the Chinese. The comment period for the new tariffs expired earlier this month. The administration received letters from a bevy of U.S. companies warning about the potential pitfalls of escalating things further. China, you’re reminded, has already promised to respond by hitting $60 billion worth of U.S. products with differentiated levies. If Trump goes forward with duties on another $267 billion in Chinese imports following the levies on $200 billion in goods, it will mean the U.S. slapping taxes on everything China ships to America, meaning Trump will have made good on his threat to “ go to $500 billion”. (Bloomberg) As you can see from the top pane in the chart, it is not mathematically possible for China to respond in kind, which means going forward, Beijing will need to get “creative”. That could entail undermining U.S. efforts to forge a relationship with North Korea. Here are some other options, from a Barclays note out in July: Follow up with non-tariff retaliations. Such measures, most likely at a company or industry level, could include: 1) intensifying inspections of goods shipped from the US (as is already being observed), 2) guiding state-owned enterprises to diversify away from the procurement of US products and services, and 3) applying greater scrutiny to operations of US companies in China. When the official announcement on the new tariffs comes down (likely next week), it will probably weigh on risk sentiment. On Thursday, the Invesco China Technology ETF outperformed U.S. big-cap tech by the most in a year on optimism tied to the above-mentioned talks between Mnuchin and the Chinese Vice Premier ( h/t Luke Kawa). As you can see from the top pane in the chart below, the ratio of QQQ to CQQQ has risen steadily this year as the (figurative and literal) fortunes of U.S. tech have diverged from Chinese equities amid the trade tensions. One certainly imagines the respite highlighted in green below will prove short-lived. Ongoing strength in U.S. econ data is likely to exacerbate the disparity between Chinese and U.S. assets in the event the trade conflict worsens. Here’s BNP: US economic data remains very robust as a strong wage print followed a >60 Manufacturing ISM. Stronger data is encouraging for the broader US equity market, but it also provides more ammunition for policy makers to take a more aggressive stance on trade with China, ahead of the US mid-terms. In the run up to the November mid-terms, it seems likely that markets are going to be subject to escalation of political rhetoric around the trade tensions. Right. And while you may have heard some commentators suggesting that Trump would be loath to escalate things further with China ahead of November, do consider the possibility that the White House actually views the ongoing tension with Beijing as a necessary component of a strategy that involves perpetuating the “us versus them” narrative when it comes to rallying the base. There’s more on that in “ Dream States: Why No Resolution To Current Political Conflicts Is Possible.” Whatever the case, buckle up, because this is likely to get worse next week.