US flexes military muscle at China as Beijing draws down in its border spat with India

WASHINGTON: The United States is flexing its military muscle at China on behalf of India and other Asian allies and partners, amid signs that Washington is finally ready to take some punitive action against Beijing for its role in spreading the coronavirus pandemic around the globe.

In the clearest sign yet that the Trump White House will not back down from its position as a pre-eminent power in the Pacific and beyond, Trump’s chief of staff Mark Meadows told Fox News on Monday that the US military “will continue to stand strong whether it’s in relationship to a conflict between India and China or anywhere else.”

“We’re not going to stand by and let China or anyone the take the reins in terms of being the most powerful dominant force, whether it’s in that region or over here,” Meadows said, disclosing the President Trump is on course to sign executive orders to “make sure that China is addressed, how we bring manufacturing back from overseas to make sure the American worker is supported.”

Complete coverage: LAC face-off

Soon after Meadow’s remarks, President Trump cryptically tweeted “China has caused great damage