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10 August 2022
Allies united as Beijing criticises Wong
The Chinese government fired back at Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong after she joined her Japanese and US counterparts in a statement condemning China’s unprecedented military manoeuvres around Taiwan following Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s brief stopover in Taipei.
As USSC CEO Dr Michael Green wrote in The Australian, Beijing’s military response to Pelosi’s trip was “both over-the-top and long-planned.” The aggressive deployment of missiles was followed by aggressive rhetoric to undermine Australia’s role in the joint response.
“Now the US and its sidekicks have spoken up,” said Assistant Foreign Minister Hua Chunying, repeating their messaging that Australia is America’s deputy sheriff. Yet even this goes above and beyond the norm as Beijing then accused Wong of violating the UN Charter.
However, as Dr Green concluded, these heightened tensions escalate the importance and role of allies working to ensure deterrence and stability. He said "this will take more resolve, resources, steady diplomacy and solidarity than the United States and Australia have required in the face of any security challenge since the end of the Cold War - or possibly ever.”
NEWS WRAP
Unprecedented FBI raid on former President's mansion
- Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home searched | This week’s FBI seizure of documents in former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago is unprecedented in US political history. The judge’s warrant would have been based on probable cause and came as a ground-shaking but predictable development to Trump’s critics and a case of federal
over-reach to his supporters. READ MORE HERE
- Senate passes sweeping climate reforms | The US Senate passed a US$739 billion package intended to fight climate change, lower drug prices and raise some corporate taxes. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the legislation contained “the boldest clean energy package in American history”. READ MORE HERE
- Primaries showdown in four states | Wisconsin, Minnesota, Vermont and Connecticut are choosing their nominees for November as the primary season enters the final stretch. In Wisconsin, one of the most competitive races, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes (D) is heavily favoured to win the Senate nomination and will face Senator Ron Johnson (R). READ MORE HERE
Kansas abortion vote hints to higher turnout | Democrat strategists voiced fresh optimism about the midterm elections after a victory protecting abortion rights in Kansas last week. They say the win in such a conservative state may lead to a higher than expected turnout for Democrats in November. READ MORE HERE
- Pacific Islands a US priority | President Joe Biden sees strong ties with Pacific Island countries as a priority, says a top US official, while condemning China for its military action surrounding Taiwan. Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, visited the Solomon Islands with US Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, and later met with Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, to discuss China's escalating aggression this week. READ MORE HERE
The lawlessness, political persecution, and the Witch Hunt, must be exposed and stopped. As long as I have your support, I will continue to fight for the Great American People. I need every single red-blooded American Patriot to step up during this time.
Former President Donald Trump on the FBI raid at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida | 9 August, 2022
ANALYSIS
Xi's display of muscle would happen anyway
Dr Michael Green
CEO, United States Studies Centre
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan last week rattled US-China relations like nothing we have seen since the collision of a US EP-3 surveillance plane and a Chinese fighter in April 2001.
On balance, the Biden administration would have preferred that she had not made the trip, given the high level of tensions in US-China relations, Beijing’s particular dislike of Pelosi and the sensitivity of the upcoming Communist Party congress to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
But once Joe Biden inadvertently confirmed Pelosi’s plans to travel and revealed internal divisions in his own administration to the press, the White House had little choice but to circle the wagons and support her trip lest they look weak to Beijing – and to voters in the November midterm elections.
If there was virtue in Pelosi’s trip – and there was – it was demonstrating the strong bipartisan resolve in congress to deter Chinese aggression in the western Pacific.
This article was first published in The Australian
LIVE EVENT
The crisis of American democracy - a discussion with Professor Stephen Macedo
The January 6 Select Committee hearings highlight points of crisis in American democracy, yet the roots of these challenges undeniably precede the Capitol riots given US economic, social and cultural trends. Princeton University professor and political scientist Stephen Macedo's authoritative work on immigration, liberalism, populism, and democratic theory explores such trends.
Please join us for an in-person event featuring Professor Macedo in conversation with USSC Director of Research, Jared Mondschein, and Director of Engagement and Impact, Mari Koeck.
WHEN
SYDNEY | Thursday, 18 August 2022 | 6pm-7pm AEST | The Michael Spence Building (F23), Corner of Eastern Ave and City Road, The University of Sydney, Camperdown NSW 2006.
COST
Free but registration is essential.
BY THE NUMBERS
Why new bill is the most important climate action in US history
The US Senate passed a US$739 billion package, dubbed the Inflation Reduction Act, authorising the biggest burst of spending in US history to tackle climate change, lower medicine prices and raise some corporate taxes.
Approximately US$370 billion will be spent over 10 years featuring tax credits aimed at steering consumers to electric vehicles and encouraging electric companies to transition to renewable energy sources like wind or solar power. Energy experts say the measure will help the United States reduce greenhouse gas emissions about 40 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Tax credits include:
- US$30 billion to speed the production of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries and critical minerals processing;
- US$10 billion to build facilities to manufacture electric vehicles and solar panels;
- US$60 billion to help disadvantaged areas affected by climate change, including US$27 billion for the creation of a national “green bank”, and
- A US$7,500 tax deduction when buying a new electric vehicle.
VIDEO
Behind Trump the great and powerful
This week’s raid on Mar-a-Lago is a striking reminder that Donald Trump’s last year as president and transition from office was chaotic, resulting in a violent test of American democratic institutions and social cohesion.
One year ago, USSC hosted a webinar featuring The Washington Post's Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker, authors of The New York Times #1 best seller I Alone Can Fix It: Donald J. Trump's Catastrophic Final Year in conversation with former USSC CEO Professor Simon Jackman and Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe.
Catch more podcast and video analysis on the United States here.
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United States Studies Centre
Institute Building H03
University of Sydney NSW 2006
