"Well, now China can just invade people!🤡" is the wrong take, and is again, completely US-pilled.

It's centered on the idea that China can't think of what to do on its own, or considers itself limited to the set of rules determined by the US. It does not.

China gained in much more important ways.

What do you think the heads of state of Mexico, Denmark, Nigeria, Canada, South Africa, and Somalia are thinking this morning?

This is important because again, there are rare earth and other mineral negotiations going on right now that will determine the path that the next 25 years will take.

@mekkaokereke "threat" and "attack" are two sides of the same coin. I think everyone understands that China will employ the "kind word with a gun", but the point is that the orientation of arms aligns trade. I'm not sure if people ever actually *liked* the US given how selfish it has been throughout history. They just have the kind word and a gun, and the issue is that they no longer have a kind word.