Originally Posted by MandM!:
I see China-HK as fighting through this to be more independent and less reliant on the west. Hk-China sticking up against the west is a great play, there might be some pain to pay in the beginning but I see HK-China surpassing US. HK-China is reasonable and realistic, still bringing in talent and money. US on the other hand is dealing with massive uprooting of its citizens who want to defund the government/police, break up states from the US to go independent, etc. US does NOT have the ability to control its citizens while Trump is saying the shooting starts, govt officials are still unable to get ahold of protests, looting, violence (although it has calmed down due to the time factor). Right now, with 45m Americans unemployed, the govt wants to end unemployment benefits, raise property taxes significantly and raise both local, city, state and federal income/salary taxes. On top of that, there are taxes on dinning out! Lots of other ridiculous stuff.
US is anti-immigration, blocking immigrants, H1 sponsored employment visas, student visas (who bring cash to universities, housing, cars, food, everything). Forcing immigrants to leave, putting pressure on companies to start up factories here with unaffordable minimum wages, and being forced to hire local "uneducated" talent since hiring of overseas talent is suspended. Even medical personnel were forced to leave the US during covid due to Trumps BS with the visas.
I doubt US will have much say or presence in the world stage, with exception for its wasteful consumerism culture, which may soon take a hit with higher taxes and less dollars in the pockets of Americans. Right now with covid at its peak, bars and restaurants are open, jam packed with queues outside, very little mask usage. The wealthy stopped spending and are taking money outside of the US due to new taxes coming in play (gift tax, inheritance tax, etc). The results will be displayed over time and we can soon see it, but I'm not optimistic for USA.