Mark’s of the Beast
Observe their actions—high tariffs on the US, currency management, trade rerouting, and export-driven policies—show a collective choice to exploit America’s market. They import from China (-$292B EU, -$85B India), process or add value, and sell to the U.S. (+$63.7B Germany, +$56.8B Japan), knowing it absorbs the imbalance.
This isn’t random; it’s a calculated strategy to maximize gains at the U.S.’s expense, proven by their persistent surpluses and refusal to balance trade.
You cannot fully address China or the beast until you address the 10 kings. If you address the 10 kings, you are able to address the beast and Babylon itself.
Vietnam
Trade Balance with China: -$136.6 billion (2024 estimate)
GDP: $433.32 billion (2023)
Relative Imbalance: -31.53% of GDP
Estimated Rerouted Trade to USA: $20–25 billion
VAT Rate: 10% (standard, with 0% and 5% reduced rates)
Estimated Currency Manipulation: On U.S. Treasury’s Monitoring List (November 2024) for trade surplus and past interventions, but not a manipulator but pegged.
Total Forex Reserves: $111.5 billion (November 2024, IMF)
Trade Surplus with USA: +$103.8 billion (2024, U.S. Census Bureau)
Tariff % with China: ~7.1% (2023 WTO trade-weighted average, pre-2025 adjustments)
Tariff % with USA: 46% (U.S. reciprocal tariff announced April 2, 2025, per PIIE)
Notes: Vietnam’s large deficit with China contrasts with a significant U.S. surplus; the 46% U.S. tariff reflects Trump’s 2025 reciprocal policy.
Taiwan
Trade Balance with China: -$142.6 billion (2024)
GDP: $751.93 billion (2023)
Relative Imbalance: -18.96% of GDP
Estimated Rerouted Trade to USA: $15–20 billion
VAT Rate: 5% (business tax, VAT-like)
Estimated Currency Manipulation: On Monitoring List (November 2024) for U.S. surplus, no manipulation finding.
Total Forex Reserves: $579.5 billion (November 2024, Central Bank)
Trade Surplus with USA: +$46.9 billion (2024)
Tariff % with China: ~2.5% (2023 WTO average, adjusted for tech trade)
Tariff % with USA: 32% (U.S. reciprocal tariff, April 2025, per PIIE)
Notes: Taiwan’s deficit with China is tech-driven; the 32% U.S. tariff targets its trade surplus.
Slovenia
Trade Balance with China: -€5.8 billion (2022)
GDP: €60.06 billion (2023)
Relative Imbalance: -9.65% of GDP
Estimated Rerouted Trade to USA: $0.5–1 billion
VAT Rate: 22% (standard), 9.5% (reduced)
Estimated Currency Manipulation: None; uses euro (ECB managed).
Total Forex Reserves: €0.9 billion (2023, ECB)
Trade Surplus with USA: +$0.8 billion (2024)
Tariff % with China: ~2.7% (EU average, 2023 WTO)
Tariff % with USA: 20% (EU rate under U.S. reciprocal tariffs, April 2025)
Notes: Slovenia’s small size amplifies its deficit; EU tariffs apply.
Czechia (Czech Republic)
Trade Balance with China: -€22.8 billion (2022)
GDP: €305.71 billion (2023)
Relative Imbalance: -7.46% of GDP
Estimated Rerouted Trade to USA: $1–2 billion
VAT Rate: 21% (standard), 10% or 15% (reduced)
Estimated Currency Manipulation: None; koruna floats with occasional intervention.
Total Forex Reserves: $141.2 billion (November 2024, IMF)
Trade Surplus with USA: +$4.2 billion (2024)
Tariff % with China: ~2.7% (EU average, 2023 WTO)
Tariff % with USA: 20% (EU rate under U.S. reciprocal tariffs, April 2025)
Notes: Czechia’s deficit with China sees minor U.S. rerouting; EU tariffs apply.
India
Trade Balance with China: -$85 billion (2023)
GDP: $3.57 trillion (2023)
Relative Imbalance: -2.38% of GDP
Estimated Rerouted Trade to USA: $5–10 billion
VAT Rate: GST 0%–28% (replaced VAT in 2017)
Estimated Currency Manipulation: No designation; rupee managed for stability.
Total Forex Reserves: $682.1 billion (November 2024, IMF)
Trade Surplus with USA: +$28.9 billion (2024)
Tariff % with China: ~12% (2023 WTO trade-weighted average)
Tariff % with USA: 26% (U.S. reciprocal tariff, April 2025, per PIIE)
Notes: India’s high tariffs on China contrast with a U.S. surplus; 26% reflects U.S. policy.
South Korea
Trade Balance with China: -$37.8 billion (2024)
GDP: $1.71 trillion (2023)
Relative Imbalance: -2.21% of GDP
Estimated Rerouted Trade to USA: $10–15 billion
VAT Rate: 10%
Estimated Currency Manipulation: Off Monitoring List since 2023; no manipulation.
Total Forex Reserves: $416.6 billion (November 2024, IMF)
Trade Surplus with USA: +$29.6 billion (2024)
Tariff % with China: ~3.5% (2023 WTO average, pre-2025 escalation)
Tariff % with USA: 10% (U.S. baseline tariff, April 2025, per PIIE)
Notes: South Korea balances China deficit with U.S. surplus; 10% U.S. tariff is baseline.
European Union (as a bloc)
Trade Balance with China: -€292 billion (2023)
GDP: €14.54 trillion (2023)
Relative Imbalance: -2.01% of GDP
Estimated Rerouted Trade to USA: $30–40 billion
VAT Rate: Varies (e.g., 20% France, 19% Germany, 25% Denmark; min 15%)
Estimated Currency Manipulation: None; euro managed by ECB.
Total Forex Reserves: €832 billion (2023, ECB/Eurosystem)
Trade Surplus with USA: +$153.4 billion (2024)
Tariff % with China: ~2.7% (2023 WTO trade-weighted average)
Tariff % with USA: 20% (U.S. reciprocal tariff on EU, April 2025, per PIIE)
Notes: EU’s large deficit with China sees significant U.S. rerouting; 20% U.S. tariff applies bloc-wide.
Germany
Trade Balance with China: -€85 billion (2024)
GDP: $4.46 trillion (2023)
Relative Imbalance: -1.91% of GDP
Estimated Rerouted Trade to USA: $10–15 billion
VAT Rate: 19% (standard), 7% (reduced)
Estimated Currency Manipulation: On Monitoring List for U.S. surplus; no manipulation (euro).
Total Forex Reserves: €103 billion (2023, Bundesbank)
Trade Surplus with USA: +$63.7 billion (2024)
Tariff % with China: ~2.7% (EU average, 2023 WTO)
Tariff % with USA: 20% (EU rate under U.S. reciprocal tariffs, April 2025)
Notes: Germany’s deficit with China aligns with EU tariffs; 20% U.S. tariff reflects EU status.
United States
Trade Balance with China: -$295.4 billion (2024)
GDP: $27.36 trillion (2023)
Relative Imbalance: -1.08% of GDP
Estimated Rerouted Trade to USA: N/A
VAT Rate: No national VAT; state sales taxes 0%–10%
Estimated Currency Manipulation: N/A (USD issuer)
Total Forex Reserves: $244 billion (November 2024, Federal Reserve)
Trade Surplus with USA: N/A
Tariff % with China: 54% (20% pre-2025 + 34% reciprocal tariff, April 2025, per PIIE)
Tariff % with USA: 34% (China’s reciprocal tariff on U.S. goods, April 2025, per CNN Business)
Notes: U.S.-China tariffs escalated in 2025; 54% reflects total U.S. rate, 34% China’s retaliation.
Australia
Trade Balance with China: -$16.5 billion (2024)
GDP: $1.69 trillion (2023)
Relative Imbalance: -0.98% of GDP
Estimated Rerouted Trade to USA: $2–3 billion
VAT Rate: 10% (GST)
Estimated Currency Manipulation: No designation; AUD floats freely.
Total Forex Reserves: $60.8 billion (November 2024, IMF)
Trade Surplus with USA: +$16.2 billion (2024)
Tariff % with China: ~3.2% (2023 WTO average, pre-2025 adjustments)
Tariff % with USA: 10% (U.S. baseline tariff, April 2025, per PIIE)
Notes: Australia’s deficit with China is modest; 10% U.S. tariff is baseline.
Japan
Trade Balance with China: -$11.9 billion (2024)
GDP: $4.21 trillion (2023)
Relative Imbalance: -0.28% of GDP
Estimated Rerouted Trade to USA: $5–10 billion
VAT Rate: 10% (consumption tax)
Estimated Currency Manipulation: On Monitoring List for U.S. surplus; no manipulation.
Total Forex Reserves: $1,237 billion (November 2024, IMF)
Trade Surplus with USA: +$56.8 billion (2024)
Tariff % with China: ~1.9% (2023 WTO average)
Tariff % with USA: 24% (U.S. reciprocal tariff, April 2025, per PIIE)
Notes: Japan’s low deficit with China sees $5–10 billion rerouted; 24% U.S. tariff targets autos.
Russia
Trade Balance with China: +$43 billion (2023)
GDP: $1.86 trillion (2023)
Relative Imbalance: +2.31% of GDP
Estimated Rerouted Trade to USA: $1–2 billion
VAT Rate: 20% (standard), 10% (reduced)
Estimated Currency Manipulation: No designation; sanctions limit data.
Total Forex Reserves: $603.7 billion (November 2024, IMF, ~$300B frozen)
Trade Surplus with USA: +$12.4 billion (2024)
Tariff % with China: ~6.5% (2023 WTO average, pre-sanction adjustments)
Tariff % with USA: 10% (U.S. baseline tariff, April 2025, per PIIE)
Notes: Russia’s surplus with China contrasts with minor U.S. rerouting; 10% U.S. tariff is baseline.
Saudi Arabia
Trade Balance with China: +$30 billion (2023)
GDP: $1.07 trillion (2023)
Relative Imbalance: +2.80% of GDP
Estimated Rerouted Trade to USA: $3–5 billion
VAT Rate: 15%
Estimated Currency Manipulation: No designation; riyal pegged to USD.
Total Forex Reserves: $458.2 billion (November 2024, IMF)
Trade Surplus with USA: +$18.9 billion (2024)
Tariff % with China: ~5.0% (2023 WTO average)
Tariff % with USA: 10% (U.S. baseline tariff, April 2025, per PIIE)
Notes: Saudi Arabia’s surplus with China sees $3–5 billion rerouted; 10% U.S. tariff is baseline.