While President Trump is busy putting America First and rebuilding our industrial strength through tough tariffs and strategic trade deals, Chinese dictator Xi Jinping is waging his own charm offensive in Southeast Asia—one that looks a lot more like a payoff than diplomacy.
Xi’s recent stop in Cambodia, part of a broader regional tour, was nothing short of geopolitical theater—and we were all meant to watch. The message? China wants to tighten its grip on its neighbors while pretending to be the underdog victim of Trump’s “protectionist” trade policy. But don’t be fooled. This isn’t about trade—it’s about expanding China’s influence at America’s expense.
Xi tried to lecture his hosts about “resisting protectionism,” a hilarious line coming from the head of a communist regime that’s spent decades rigging its economy against Western businesses. Meanwhile, Cambodia’s response was more honest than diplomatic: Thanks for the advice, now where’s our money? Predictably, Xi delivered—signing a billion-dollar infrastructure deal to fund the now-infamous Funan Techo Canal, a project that reeks of corruption, environmental abuse, and geopolitical meddling.
A Canal of Control, Not Commerce
The 110-mile canal is supposed to connect the Mekong River with the Gulf of Thailand, reducing Cambodia’s reliance on Vietnamese ports. Sounds strategic, right? It is—for China. The canal is less about economic development and more about giving Beijing a foothold in a region long courted by the U.S.
The project is tangled in authoritarian vanity. It was ceremonially launched on the birthday of Cambodia’s former strongman Hun Sen, who ruled the country for nearly 40 years before handing the reins to his son. The whole thing has been propagandized into a “nationalist monument” that no media outlet in Cambodia dares criticize. Hun Sen even mandated that the word “techo”—a personal honorific—be included whenever anyone refers to the canal. So much for free speech.
Worse yet, the canal could wreak havoc across the border in Vietnam. Experts have warned it could drain water from the Mekong Delta, a vital agricultural lifeline for Vietnamese farmers. Cambodia never bothered to consult its neighbor before moving forward. Why? Because this isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about asserting dominance. Beijing gets a loyal proxy in Cambodia and another Belt-and-Road trophy to show off as American influence in the region shrinks.
China’s Belt and Road: Debt Diplomacy Dressed as Development
The financing of the canal is as murky as its environmental impact. The Cambodian government has claimed it can finance over half the $1.7 billion project through local companies—most of which appear to be tied to Chinese interests. The China Road and Bridge Corporation will supposedly hold a 49% stake for 50 years before handing it over. If you believe that, I’ve got a Great Wall to sell you.
This is classic Belt and Road bait-and-switch. China promises development, funds it with loans disguised as partnerships, and eventually ends up controlling the infrastructure. It’s debt diplomacy, plain and simple.
Don’t forget: the canal will displace over 1.5 million Cambodians. But instead of outrage from Western media, there’s silence. After all, it’s not happening in a country led by a conservative government.
The Bigger Picture: China Fills the Void
Xi’s latest round of handshaking and deal-signing isn’t happening in a vacuum. As one expert put it, China is stepping in “not just to fill the vacuum, but to showcase itself as the reliable and enduring partner.” In other words, the U.S. scales back under previous administrations, and China moves in with checkbooks, bulldozers, and backroom deals.
Xi also rewarded Cambodia’s loyalty with public praise for deporting Taiwanese citizens accused of fraud back to China—a reminder that supporting the “One China” policy is still a non-negotiable demand for Beijing.
This should set off alarm bells for every American who believes in freedom and fair trade. The same Chinese regime that steals our technology, dumps slave-made products into our markets, and poisons our youth with fentanyl is now buying geopolitical influence on our watch.
Time to Wake Up, Not Back Down
President Trump’s tariff-first strategy isn’t about starting a trade war—it’s about ending the economic war that China has been waging against us for decades. If the Chinese Communist Party wants to bribe its way through Asia with fake partnerships and imperialist canals, we need to double down on our efforts to restore American sovereignty, rebuild alliances based on freedom—not funding—and stop financing our own decline.
This isn’t just about a canal in Cambodia. It’s about a global contest between authoritarian control and democratic strength. And thanks to Trump, America is finally back in the fight.
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