George Kennan, the eminent diplomat, historian and strategist, called the pact “childish, just childish” in its utopian aspirations. It’s not just that allies like China, Germany, Japan and Canada say they are preparing reciprocal measures in response to the rising tariffs threatened or imposed by the United States. It’s not just that financial markets and economic sectors have begun to react, or even that the escalating trade war threatens global economic growth. It’s not even the increasingly acrimonious relationship between China and the United States. “Recall that punishing aggressive behavior through trade sanctions was illegal before the treaty in 1928, and acquiring territory through war was legal,” she said.

Source: New York Times September 21, 2018 17:30 UTC