Donald Trump’s week begins with China publicly destroying his logic for chaos

Donald Trump has been arguing that China would attack Greenland if he does not gain control over it. But the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson rebuked that claim on Monday. When even China tells you to stop making things up, it’s time to reassess the script.

On Jan. 19, China responded to Trump’s escalating rhetoric around Greenland with a blunt statement. They dismantled U.S. claims that the Chinese threat justifies American intervention or “security concerns” around the island. Spokesperson Mao Ning urged Washington to stop using the so-called “China threat” as a pretext for pursuing its selfish interests.

“The rights and freedoms of all countries to conduct activities in the Arctic in accordance with the law should be fully respected. The U.S. should not pursue its own interests by using other countries as a pretext.” (via HuffPost)

Translation: Don’t put this on us. The statement landed awkwardly for an administration that has spent weeks floating Greenland as a strategic prize. Trump invoked vague national security anxieties, leaning on the idea that China or Russia would occupy Greenland if the U.S. does not act. Except this time, the alleged villain stepped forward and clearly said, “Not us.” Suddenly, Trump’s logic has no base.

Recently, Trump reduced Greenland’s sovereignty to “a boat landing there 500 years ago.” Then, he framed the area as “too important” to be left alone. But China’s response stripped that framing bare. If there is no imminent threat from China, then the justification evaporates, leaving only naked self-interest. Trump’s Greenland fixation always sounded more like a real estate pitch than a foreign policy doctrine. Now, it’s even clearer.

Social media did not miss the chance to call out Trump’s logic collapse. Some applauded Beijing for saying what everyone else has been dancing around. They reiterated that Trump’s “China threat” is often a catch-all excuse, deployed whenever Washington wants cover for an aggressive move. “China, Russia, and the Middle East are the boogeymen the West uses to justify all its crimes,” one wrote.

Others were less charitable but still accurate. They pointed out that Trump’s interest is primarily driven by money, minerals, and billionaire backers. His Greenland capture plan is not a coherent defense strategy. “We all know it’s about money for Trump and his billionaire buddies, not security,” they wrote. However, none of this makes China a moral authority in this regard. Critics were quick and correct to note the hypocrisy.

Beijing is lecturing Washington about respecting sovereignty while aggressively asserting claims in the South China Sea and menacing Taiwan. Calling out American opportunism doesn’t erase China’s own record of coercion. As one user puts it, “Calling someone else selfish while claiming territorial waters three countries away is peak irony.”

But two things can be true at once. And at this point, people can’t help but embrace this rare moment of China advertising fair governance. We can only hope they remember their morality when it comes to their own disputes, as well.