Four Corners: June 17

Four Corners screens a PBS doco on Monday, Trump’s Trade War, which pits 2 superpowers against one another.

“We can’t continue to allow China to rape our country, and that’s what they’re doing. It’s the greatest theft in the history of the world.” US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump has ignited a massive trade war with China, slapping billions of dollars worth of tariffs on Chinese goods. In doing so, he says he’s delivering on his promise to Make America Great Again.

“This is a great power struggle.” Steve Bannon, former Trump chief strategist

Despite the rhetoric, questions are being asked about who has the most to lose from the conflict.

“We will have another type of cold war that nobody has ever experienced. . . That’s dangerous.” Da Wei, University of International Relations, Beijing

On Monday Four Corners examines the forces behind the conflict, on both sides.

“They’ve outsmarted us; they’ve done some things we don’t agree with. We’ve got to fix our system to compete with China.” James Mcgregor, Former Chair, American Chamber of Commerce in China

US businesses are bearing much of the cost, particularly companies who rely on importing raw materials from China.

“Several million dollars of profit lost. In a year. . . If what we’re trying to do is protect the American economy, this is a bad way to do it.” US manufacturer

China is also feeling the impact of the increased tariffs but many believe there is a bigger issue in play.

“The question is, is America’s complaint about the way China handles its economy, or is it about China’s legitimacy to become a prosperous and powerful country?” Da Wei, University of International Relations, Beijing

Featuring key players who have served in the Trump administration, the program analyses the forces at work with the US government and what they believe is at stake.

“I believe you need – you need actually a change of the top leaders in the Chinese Communist Party. I think the goa . . . is to break the back of this totalitarian mercantilist economic society.” Steve Bannon, former Trump chief strategist

Monday 17th June at 8.30pm on ABC.