Within a few days, the affair surrounding the alleged spy balloon has escalated into a diplomatic crisis between China and the United States. Why does this have anything to do with Trump?
When the people of Montana craned their necks up last week, little did they know that a crisis between the two world powers was about to ensue. Hobby photographers took pictures of the distant object behind which some initially suspected a planet, a star or a satellite. Because the authorities blocked the airport in the largest city of Billings for around two hours at the same time, it quickly became clear to many that there was more to it than that.
Since then, the alleged espionage balloon from China has kept the United States in suspense. Because what was first visible to everyone in the blue sky of Montana means in America, at least in a figurative sense: The Chinese are not coming. The Chinese are here. And as recent statements from senior government officials suggest, the Chinese were already there. Chinese balloons over the United States went undetected several times before leaving the airspace, it is said.
It may sound funny. But a balloon full of hot air is creating the biggest diplomatic crisis between China and the United States in a long time. This could be because the alleged weather balloon transported measuring and monitoring equipment that is said to be more than 30 meters long. The curious Chinese airship has also flown over militarily sensitive areas with more than a hundred silos full of nuclear-capable ICBMs. The United States had just reorganized its communications at these nuclear weapons sites.
On the one hand, the incident shows how poorly the world’s two superpowers seem to be communicating. On the other hand, anti-China sentiment in America continues to boil over and puts the government under pressure. It is a mixture that can become dangerous for the whole world.
The cancellation is an affront
How explosive the matter is from the American point of view is shown in particular by the cancellation of the US Secretary of State’s trip abroad. It wasn’t a “Can we maybe reschedule our meeting?” message among friends. If Antony Blinken cancels a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping that has been in preparation for months, the consequences will be more serious.
The Chinese government also provides an indication of the diplomatic explosive power. Admittedly, she sticks to her weather balloon version and condemns the shooting down of a civilian Chinese object by American fighter jets. However, Beijing publicly apologized for the allegedly off-course balloon. A pardon before the eyes of the world is extremely unusual in the Chinese self-image.
Powder keg in the Pacific
After all, Blinken’s cancellation of China’s trip came at a time when it was more than necessary for all parties. No US Secretary of State has visited China since Trump’s Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Tensions over Taiwan, the military arms race in the Southeast Pacific, and trade tensions have continued to escalate. Added to this is the Russian war against Ukraine, in which the USA and China play an important supporting role for the other side.
Biden as China accomplice
At the same time, the balloon affair reveals how great the pressure is on Democratic US President Joe Biden. Numerous statements from the Republican camp bear witness to this. At the forefront: Donald Trump.
Trump was one of the first to loudly demand: “Shoot the balloon!” The former Republican president and leader has since shared video messages about how irresponsible Joe Biden would act in relation to China. Trump speaks of Chinese spies operating all over the US, even in the government.
Such statements fall on fertile ground for a significant part of his electorate. That Joe Biden and his son Hunter were bought by China is an absolutely common tale in Trumpist circles.
