China spectacle shows dangers of Trump's trade policy

The People's Republic of China displayed its military might in a parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, with President Donald Trump confirming he was watching and describing it as very impressive, though he did not elaborate further on his thoughts.

Trump's reactions were mixed and evolved over time; initially, during a podcast interview, he expressed nonchalance and lack of concern about the parade, but later on his Truth Social website, he voiced grievance that China failed to acknowledge US support in World War Two, even making sarcastic remarks about Putin and Kim Jong Un conspiring against the US.

Trump has a history of appreciating military parades, having welcomed Putin with a stealth bomber flyover, attended France's Bastille Day celebrations, and hosted his own nostalgic parade in the US featuring historical elements like World War Two tanks, which contrasted with China's high-tech and precision-focused display.

China's parade served not only as a show of advanced weaponry but also as an attempt to assert a larger historical role in defeating fascism and imperialism in World War Two, potentially signaling a shift towards a new global order centered on Chinese influence, as opposed to the American-backed system.

According to Richard Wilkie, a former official, this move by China is part of an effort to rewrite history as a first step in changing global rules, with a note that Chinese nationalists and US forces played a more significant role in Japan's defeat than the communist army, adding context to the historical claims.