COMMENT: Mr. Armstrong, I understand you would never want to get into politics. I know that you were even asked if you would run for president back in the nineties. I respect your personal desires, and to some extent, I can understand your perspective. But few people have the experience you do globally. It’s not book knowledge. You were even the first American calling in by the Bank of China during a crisis. That was a huge honor.
The fact that you understand the Asian view, unlike the European view, is no small experience. China is willing to agree to trade talks, but it has insisted that President Trump needs to show more respect and even stop the disparaging remarks by members of his cabinet. You should be the one advising Trump on this mess. You even have offices in China, and they respect you. Who better for this job than you?
annonymous
REPLY: I greatly appreciate your clarity. It does seem that nobody on Trump’s team understands Asia. I give you that. But there is also an ego issue on the part of Trump. I’m not entirely sure I would want to step into this food fight. I would consult, but actually stepping into the negotiation, the Democrats would rise up and use it to bash Trump, me, my family, and China. Politics is a horrible profession. I have never had the patience for the disgusting behavior I have witnessed. Once upon a time, I could have intelligent, common-sense discussions with heads of state. I am not sure there is anyone in the West who would even want to listen anymore.
