Tariffs and Minerals
The economic jockeying between the United States and China is intensifying, as both countries prepare for an expected change in trade relations. First, President-elect Donald Trump has promised to levy significant tariffs on imports from China (as well as Mexico and Canada). The President-elect says the move is necessary to combat China’s anti-competitive trade practices, and to garner more cooperation from Canada and Mexico on border security.
Meanwhile, China is banning the export of several minerals used in the production of technologies critical to the communications, energy, and defense sectors.
Analysis and eternal perspective: The relationship between the world’s current superpower—the United States—and the country with the stated goal of being the next superpower—China—has been growing increasingly frosty for several decades. While this news marks an escalation of the economic clash between the two countries, there is also a significant security component, as China has been increasingly public about its support for Russia, Iran, North Korea, and others hostile to the United States. In many cases, China’s global posture is almost certainly motivated most by its desire to thwart the U.S., and the U.S. is undoubtedly conversely motivated to slow the advances of China.
As Jesus followers, we know there will be “wars and rumors of wars” (Matt. 24:6). We should expect that to include military wars, economic wars, and countless other types of war.
It is easy for this understanding to cause angst. But keep reading the rest of the verse: “. . . but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” I encourage you to read all of Matthew 24 for even more context, but here’s the quick spoiler:
It is not that there won’t be trouble. There will be! But those who stand firm to the end will be saved! (v. 13)
It is wise to be aware of these changes in the world around you. It is wise to prepare. But ultimately, set your eyes on the end of the story, which has already been written and in which you have already been redeemed because of your association with Jesus!
The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.