Chapter 1143 We can’t let the Chinese people be so arrogant (two-in-one)


    In the end, the investment plan for the United Arab Emirates was not discussed.


    But fortunately, it didn’t stop there—


    In the international environment of 2004, it is a very valuable opportunity to have such a market that is friendly to China and has a relatively benign environment proactively extend an invitation.


    It is basically equivalent to a novice village, allowing Chinese companies that are willing to "go global" to avoid facing hellish difficulties from the get-go.


    Therefore, Chang Haonan and Li Zhongyi finally reached the conclusion that they would not make any large-scale publicity about the matter for the time being, and first, in the name of the four equipment industry departments, require related enterprises and research institutions to analyze the achievements made in recent years and the short-term We will summarize the results that may lead to breakthroughs within a certain period of time to see if we can screen out projects with potential for investment in the Middle East.


    At the same time, Li Zhongyi will use his past connections in the petroleum system to strive for overseas investment in incremental oil and gas projects.


    Such a two-pronged approach will give priority to showing sincerity and stabilizing the mentality of the UAE. When the time is ripe in the future, domestic companies will be encouraged to go overseas on a large scale.


    However, Li Zhongyi was still a little unwilling to do so.


    Before Chang Haonan was about to leave, he asked again:


    "Counsellor Chang, is it really impossible to achieve foreign investment or cooperation in the aviation industry through this early warning aircraft project as we have done several times before?"


    Chang Haonan sighed lightly:


    "If possible, I would also like to use this familiar method."


    "But if I remember correctly, the UAE has a population of less than 4.5 million, and except for two urban areas where land is at a premium, it is almost all desert... Under these conditions, it is impossible for people to develop industries other than petrochemicals. Not to mention aerospace manufacturing, which has very high requirements for land and worker quality..."


    In fact, Li Zhongyi knew it very well in his heart, but there were some things that he had to tell others before he would give up.


    For a leader of a department at the Industrial and Construction Commission level, it is almost impossible to find another example where Ding Gaoheng has been in charge of the same system for more than 20 years.


    Therefore, he still hopes to produce at least a phased result during his tenure.


    Otherwise, it would be all about making wedding clothes for others, which would still be a bit uncomfortable.


    "All right…"


    Li Zhongyi showed a slightly regretful expression, but still got up and saw off the guests in person...


    …


    Compared with the cheerful posture here in China, the atmosphere in a white house on the other side of the world is a little not right.


    In the splendid Oval Office, Mr. Bush was holding his forehead with one hand, leaning on the office chair with his head half-slouched, as if his body had been hollowed out.


    Logically speaking, as a politician, 58 years old should be in his prime.


    But the current situation is not optimistic for him or the entire Xiang Party.


    The first is that the war situation, which seemed to be a good one a few months ago, suddenly took a turn for the worse after entering 2004.


    Because Paul Bremer, who was directly appointed by the White House, was completely inactive, which led to uprisings across the Mesopotamia and the Mesopotamia, completely dispelling all previous illusions about allowing the U.S. military to go home for Christmas in 2003.


    The first Battle of Fallujah two months ago was an even mess, which almost destroyed the confidence of the Marine Corps, but still only 800 out of 400 militants were annihilated.


    Not only has it failed to improve security in Anbar Province, it has instead led to increasing chaos in the region.


    As the public becomes increasingly desensitized to the attack three years ago, opposition to the use of foreign troops has grown.


    Naturally, the media controlled by the Donkey Party cannot let go of this opportunity.


    They edited together footage of the president''s speech announcing victory in the war a year ago on the USS Lincoln aircraft carrier with footage of the tragic battle in Fallujah, and scrolled them through various media to highlight a slap in the face.


    Secondly, the differences of opinion within the Elephant Party are almost exposed. Powell and Cheney are almost out of control. Although the identity of security adviser Condoleezza Rice is useful, her ability is really lacking. The entire The leadership team is in a state where there are no generals in Shu, and Liao Hua is the vanguard...


    The only good news is probably that the economic situation is slowly emerging from the shadow of the Internet bubble and the Asian financial crisis, and has entered a phase of relative prosperity.


    But this is only compared with previous years.


    If we compare it horizontally with other major economies, the growth rate of 3%-4% for six consecutive quarters is not satisfactory.


    Although statistical magic has been used to push the paper employment rate to a new high since the Cold War, this kind of thing can deceive outsiders, but it is obviously of little use to the people who really hold the votes.


    Especially against the backdrop of the European Union and China next door, Mr. Bush looks even more like a wimp who only knows how to be militaristic...


    In short, the current election situation is not optimistic.


    Almost all forecasting agencies believe that the Donkey Party will regain the White House.


    This is really unbearable for him who comes from a powerful family and whose career has always been smooth sailing...


    Just when Xiao Bushu was emoing alone, a phone on the table suddenly rang.


    It wasn''t until a few seconds later that he reluctantly moved his body and picked up the receiver.


    It''s like a computer that has been pressed on but is unresponsive.


    "Your Excellency, I have an important document here."


    Undersecretary of State John Robert''s voice rang on the other end of the line.


    "Come in."


    In any case, he still had the basic awareness of being a political figure, so he took a deep breath and quickly readjusted himself.


    It’s just that the fatigue caused by long-term lack of rest is difficult to completely cover up...


    Soon, Bolton strode into the Oval Office and placed a document on the desk in front of the bush:


    "Your Excellency, Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv have signed a memorandum of understanding. We don''t have to worry about problems between them for the time being..."


    "Okay...I get it."


    The latter said as he opened the file and quickly glanced at the contents:


    "Finally, a big trouble has been solved...it''s gratifying."


    Although he said this, his expression did not relax at all.


    Even when I saw the details on the second page, I frowned slightly—


    That was the part about the Kingdom of David’s commitment to the UAE.


    Thanks to his many years of experience in "serving" Bush and his son, Bolton guessed his leader''s thoughts almost instantly.


    The United States now has a trend of "cannot win and cannot withdraw" in the Middle East. Considering domestic public sentiment, its future strategy will definitely rely more on the role of the GCC.


    At this juncture, it is obviously not a good thing for allies to engage in internal fighting.


    So, he quickly added:


    "After the meeting, I have clearly warned Silvan Shalom of the David Kingdom to keep a low profile at least until the end of this year''s election, otherwise if the Donkey Party comes to power, many things may get out of control..."


    The face of the little bush opposite changed slightly, but the worry in his eyes did not fade away.


    In fact, what he was worried about wasn''t what was in front of him.


    But the situation is more long-term, ten or twenty years from now.


    Since the 1960s, the Davidic State has been Washington''s main lever to control the situation in the Middle East, and it is also one of the most important strategic assets in the region.


    However, with the end of the Cold War and the euro beginning to threaten the international status of the US dollar, the priority of the GCC countries in the diplomatic sequence has been rapidly increasing in recent years.


    Under such circumstances, the Davidic Kingdom, which has a strong willingness to cause trouble, is transforming from the most important strategic asset to the most troublesome strategic burden.


    From a rational point of view, it should be cut off as it should be.


    However, the huge investment in the Kingdom of David in the past has formed an extremely strong interest relationship in North America.


    The food and clothing of millions of water workers cannot be changed by anyone''s personal will. It even gave the former the ability and ambition to turn against customers.


    If this continues, the United States may be dragged into the quagmire by the other party...


    Looking at the leader who had a gloomy face and said nothing, Bolton finally became impatient after waiting for a few minutes and called out softly:


    "Your Excellency, President?"


    Awaken the little bush from brainstorming.


    The latter knew that at this critical moment of the general election, the Davidic issue was a high-risk slide that could not be touched, so he quickly changed the subject:


    "Oh...I''m not thinking about the Kingdom of David."


    "That…"


    Bolton is also well-intentioned and wants to share the worries.


    But for the little bush, he had to make up a reason.


    As usual, every time this happens, one country needs to take the blame:


    "I''m worried about the Chinese side."


    "In the final analysis, the trouble this time was caused by someone stepping in from the middle...Including during the Allied Forces Operation in 1999, they were also the ones who took action just when we were about to defeat the euro and forced the euro to collapse. The exchange rate should always remain above 1, otherwise there would be so many troubles..."


    The little bush was just saying it casually, but as soon as he opened his mouth, it was like a landslide, unable to stop the car at all:


    "Further back, when Boeing and McDonnell Douglas merged, they colluded with Europe and almost ruined the entire merger..."


    "Throughout the 1990s, if the Chinese had not disrupted blood transfusions, it would have been impossible for the Russians to recover so quickly..."


    "besides…"


    In short, after taking stock of the "glorious deeds", they were directly added to the heinous pile.


    Of course, the little bush is not smart enough, but he still has basic common sense.


    After China entered the international trade system, he was definitely one of the biggest beneficiaries.


    Especially in the past few years since taking office, without the large amount of cheap industrial products exported by China, it would be difficult to guarantee an economic growth rate of 3-4%.


    Therefore, after a good spray on his mouth, the refreshed little bush was not really ready to do anything.


    Just put away the documents and prepare to go back to rest.


    But after Bolton heard this, his eyes lit up.


    As a pure-bred hawk who once said, "The relationship between the United States and the world is that of hammer and nails, and we will hit whoever we like to hit," he has been unhappy with China for a long time.


    It’s just that for a long time, leaders have not taken the initiative to take the lead, and subordinates have not been able to really do anything.


    However, today, he got a chance.


    I saw Bolton patting the armrest of the seat:


    "You''re right, we can''t let the Chinese people be so arrogant!"


    It almost startled the little bush.


    However, looking at his prepared look, the latter thought about it and sat back on the chair again:


    "Tell me what you think?"


    "We should strike hard in all fields to punish Chinese companies, organizations and individuals who oppose us!"


    “…”


    Bolton''s words were so shocking that he almost choked to death on his first sentence.


    The little bush quickly waved his hand:


    "Our economy is deeply tied to China, and this will cause us to be affected too..."


    Bolton continued almost without thinking:


    "Then we''ll target the areas where they are weak but deadly enough. Take it as a warning..."


    Obviously, his initial proposal was not serious.


    It''s just a common practice to lift the roof first to make it easier to open the windows later.


    And even if you know about this top-level conspiracy, there is nothing you can do about it.


    Sure enough, Little Bush also became interested:


    "So...you already have a plan."


    This is not a question.


    Bolton nodded:


    “Last year, we won a lawsuit at the WTO, so that Chinese soybean growers will no longer be able to use the varieties they previously planted starting this year, and it will take time to submit appeals or re-breed... It is expected to be until 2007 , China’s soybean production will be at a relatively low level.”


    "To this end, they have been in frequent contact with ADM, Bunge and Cargill in the past six months, hoping to purchase at least 14-15 million tons of soybeans in the next few years, and just as it happens, according to our weather department forecasts, Illinois, Iowa China, Missouri and Indiana will all face relatively dry weather in the next two years..."


    The Bush family is a farmer from the central part of the country and is extremely sensitive to these things:


    "Are you saying that you can make a fuss about the dry weather and raise the futures market price by hyping up the risk of soybean production reduction, inducing Chinese people to buy at a high price, and then release a large amount of goods during next year''s production season?"


    "That''s right."


    Bolton was so excited that he raised his hand and snapped his fingers:


    "Conservative estimates suggest that if this round of operations succeeds, 85-90% of domestic soybean companies will go bankrupt next year or the year after that. By then we will be able to control the entire industry at extremely low prices..."


    Obviously, compared to the previous crazy idea, this plan is very feasible.


    Moreover, when China joined the WTO, it made huge concessions in non-staple agricultural products.


    In other words, the soybean market is almost completely free in China.


    This also gives them plenty of room to maneuver.


    However, the little bush is still a little hesitant:


    "But they still have reserves after all, and Louis Dreyfus is a French company after all..."


    Since Bolton could propose this ruthless and precise plan, he had naturally studied these details in depth:


    "I have calculated based on their production and purchases over the years. The existing reserves cannot support the national consumption for a whole year. More importantly, the amount of cultivated land of the Chinese people is there, and most of it is used to maintain staple food. If they are self-sufficient, it is simply impossible to have enough area to grow cash crops. Unless they can create arable land out of thin air, reserves alone cannot support market confidence..."


    “As for Louis Dreyfus…”


    He hesitated for a moment, but quickly became firm again:


    "On the one hand, the French are not philanthropic. Once they realize that the soybean market is profitable, they will definitely stand in the same camp as us... On the other hand, Louis Dreyfus does have full say in the wheat market, but soybeans …It’s definitely up to us!”


    With the agricultural output in the United States, Bolton can indeed have this confidence.


    For a moment, Xiao Bushu''s expression was uncertain.


    Rationally speaking, it seems that we should not create extraneous problems at this critical moment in an election year.


    But the cycle of agriculture is measured in years, or at least in quarters.


    If we don''t take action now, it will most likely be too late.


    Therefore, after thinking again and again, he finally narrowed his eyes:


    "Contact the Minister of Commerce and ask him to come to my place tomorrow..."


    (End of chapter)