Former Democratic Sen. Max Baucus claimed that President Trump’s rhetoric on China is akin to “Hitler in the ‘30s.”
Baucus, who was also an ambassador to China under President Barack Obama, joined CNN International host Hala Gorani to discuss Trump and his comments on China amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“The administration’s rhetoric is so strong against China. It’s over the top. We’re entering a kind of an era which is similar to Joe McCarthy back when he was red-baiting,” he said.
“A little bit like Hitler in the ‘30s. A lot of people knew what was going on was wrong. They knew it was wrong, but they didn’t stand up and say anything about it. They felt intimidated,” Baucus said.
“And now, in the United States, if anybody says anything reasonable about China, he or she feels intimidated that [their] head is going to be chopped off,” he said. “And back in the ‘30s, in Germany, it was very similar. People who were responsible in the U.S., and especially responsible in Germany, couldn’t speak up, and I worry that some of that is happening now, and it’s very dangerous, and I think it’s happening in part because the Republican administration, Donald Trump, realizes the economy is not doing well, probably because of the coronavirus, and they therefore have to pivot. They have to blame somebody, and they are blaming China, and it’s going to be very difficult to get back on track after the election, whoever’s elected.”
Gorani asked him: “Before I go, I mean, the comparison you’re making here between the current U.S. atmosphere in Washington and Germany in the ‘30s, that’s a very — are you being provocative or do you really believe that there are parallels?”
He said, “I think we’re moving in that direction, and I’m not saying we’re there yet, but there are very responsible people in America who know that this China-bashing is irresponsible, and we’re going to pay a price the more it continues. That’s what I’m saying.”
“But they’re afraid to speak up because they’re afraid that they’ll be criticized,” he said before the segment ended.
Trump has increased his criticism of China for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak, which is believed to have originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
“We haven’t determined the final amount yet,” Trump said in April. “It’s very substantial. If you take a look at the world — I mean, this is worldwide damage. This is damage to the U.S., but this is damage to the world.”
