New Pentagon chief says China's 'destabilizing behavior' is 'disturbing'
 

New Pentagon chief says China's 'destabilizing behavior' is 'disturbing'
By: Chris Mills Rodrigo - The Hill - 8-4-19
RE: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4...-is-disturbing

Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Sunday warned that China is destabilizing the Indo-Pacific region, Reuters reported.

“We firmly believe no one nation can or should dominate the Indo-Pacific and we are working alongside our allies and partners to address the region’s pressing security needs," Esper told reporters in Sydney during his first international trip in his new capacity, per Reuters.

“We also stand firmly against a disturbing pattern of aggressive behavior, destabilizing behavior from China. This includes weaponizing the global commons, using predatory economics and debt for sovereignty deals, and promoting state-sponsored theft of other nations’ intellectual property.”

Esper's admonishment of Beijing comes as U.S-Sino tensions remain high.

President Trump this week threatened to place another 10 percent tariff on $300 billion in Chinese goods beginning on Sept. 1. The U.S. has longed accused China of IP theft and currency manipulation.

That, combined with existing 25 percent penalties on $250 billion in goods, would impose levies on virtually all remaining Chinese imports.

Esper also seemed to reference China's increasingly assertive stance in the South China Sea.

Beijing has built artificial islands as a way to lay claim the international shipping zone.

The U.S. has made protecting sea lines of communication and global commons a key feature of its global strategy.

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Note: That means everything in the Dollar store will now be 10 Cents higher. Or it could become the Dollar Twenty Store? Ya got add a profit margin.

Boats