Obama to China: Behave like a "grown up"

**meridian5455** · 14th November 2011 08:16 AM

HONOLULU (Reuters) - President Barack Obama served notice on Sunday that the United States was fed up with China's trade and currency practices as he turned up the heat on America's biggest economic rival.
"Enough's enough," Obama said bluntly at a closing news conference of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit where he scored a significant breakthrough in his push to create a pan-Pacific free trade zone and promote green technologies.
Using some of his toughest language yet against China, Obama, a day after face-to-face talks with President Hu Jintao, demanded that China stop "gaming" the international system and create a level playing field for U.S. and other foreign businesses.
"We're going to continue to be firm that China operate by the same rules as everyone else," Obama told reporters after hosting the 21-nation APEC summit in his native Honolulu. "We don't want them taking advantage of the United States."
China shot back that it refused to abide by international economic rules that it had no part in writing.

Obama to China: Behave like a "grown up" - Yahoo! News

I doubt that China is very scared at this point.

**michaelr** · 14th November 2011 10:11 AM

michaelr to Obama: Shut the fuck up idiot!

**Chief** · 14th November 2011 10:13 AM

All China has to do is tell President Obama that if the GOP won't grow up, why should China?

**Dr.Gently** · 14th November 2011 01:06 PM

Would have been a good message - if the grown up didn't owe the child so much money.

It's actually North American consumers (I include Canada) who act like children and desperately need to grow up. I'm sure Chinese laugh their asses off at the brainless, useless crap we flock to buy from them.

Packaged "Food" in particular. Stuff they wouldn't let their kids put in their mouths if it was free.

**Kropotkin** · 14th November 2011 01:21 PM

If Obama is so concerned, why isn't he taking steps to "level the playing field" on America's part? Why is he advocating for more "free trade" at this very event?

**Dutch** · 15th November 2011 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by meridian5455

HONOLULU (Reuters) - President Barack Obama served notice on Sunday that the United States was fed up with China's trade and currency practices as he turned up the heat on America's biggest economic rival.
"Enough's enough," Obama said bluntly at a closing news conference of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit where he scored a significant breakthrough in his push to create a pan-Pacific free trade zone and promote green technologies.
Using some of his toughest language yet against China, Obama, a day after face-to-face talks with President Hu Jintao, demanded that China stop "gaming" the international system and create a level playing field for U.S. and other foreign businesses.
"We're going to continue to be firm that China operate by the same rules as everyone else," Obama told reporters after hosting the 21-nation APEC summit in his native Honolulu. "We don't want them taking advantage of the United States."
China shot back that it refused to abide by international economic rules that it had no part in writing.

Obama to China: Behave like a "grown up" - Yahoo! News

I doubt that China is very scared at this point.

This was done for the benefit of the american electorate. Mr obama wants a second term.

**Dutch** · 15th November 2011 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by Kropotkin

If Obama is so concerned, why isn't he taking steps to "level the playing field" on America's part? Why is he advocating for more "free trade" at this very event?

this isn't about trade, grammar nazi kroppy. it's about mr obama's presidential campaign. mr obama may be a lousy leader but he's one hell of a little campaigner.

**Dr.Gently** · 15th November 2011 10:48 PM

And the Chinese government and financial elite will soon forget public insults and churlish behaviour. I mean they're famous for being easy going and having short memories right? And the country that contains Hong Kong and Shanghai probably appreciates US and European economists giving them lectures right now. They probably genuinely appreciate the advice on how they can improve.

**Kropotkin** · 16th November 2011 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by Dr.Gently

And the Chinese government and financial elite will soon forget public insults and churlish behaviour. I mean they're famous for being easy going and having short memories right? And the country that contains Hong Kong and Shanghai probably appreciates US and European economists giving them lectures right now. They probably genuinely appreciate the advice on how they can improve.

The systems employed in China are the future of Capitalism.

"Capitalism with Asian values", as Žižek called it, even scarier than Anglo-Saxon neoliberalism.

**Dr.Gently** · 16th November 2011 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by Kropotkin

The systems employed in China are the future of Capitalism.

"Capitalism with Asian values", as Žižek called it, even scarier than Anglo-Saxon neoliberalism.

I'm quite fond and attached to Anglo-Saxon Neoliberalism. I'd hold it up to anything anybody else has got going. I've lived in three countries and visited three more and I'm all the more glad to be right here in Lotusland.

Aus, NZ and Canada are doing exceptionally well economically with plain old sensible regulation and conservative corporate cultures.