Night, inside a hotel suite.

Roland's eyes focused on the TV in the living room, in the CNN live broadcast room, two experts leaned on the host's left and right, wearing white shirts, they were analyzing the current international situation, and in order to hear their remarks clearly, Roland deliberately turned up the volume.

"Today, we have the privilege of having Professor Robert of Johns Hopkins University and Professor Raphael of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology discuss with us the implications of the President's trip to Japan and South Korea." After briefly introducing the theme of the live broadcast to the camera, the host turned his head to look at the old man on the left and asked, "So, Professor Robert, before discussing the impact of the trip to Japan and South Korea, can you briefly introduce to us the reason for the Commander's visit?" ”

“Okay。”

"This visit is the third head-on collision between China and Japan since the passage of the Comprehensive Trade Act, and the result of the collision will determine the future direction of US-Japan relations." As soon as the host's voice fell, the old pedantic-like guy nodded, turned to the camera, and talked eloquently, "And if we want to introduce the origin of the collision, we have to start from forty years ago." ”

"After the end of World War II, in order to promote post-war economic recovery and prosperity, we began to establish a multilateral trading system, and after the Bretton Woods Conference in four or four years, the IMF, the World Bank, and the GATT were established one after another.

"In five or three years, the rapid development brought about by the blind recovery of the economy made Japan's textile field overcapacity, unsalable products, and the accumulation of goods, so after joining the GATT in five or five years, Japan frantically sold us textile products at low prices due to the accumulation of goods, and the trade volume reached 11.1 billion yen that year."

"This kind of excessive, disorderly exports, so that our local light industry has been seriously threatened, the same understanding of this reason in January 56 years of Japan's export of this kind of products to implement independent restrictions, and in order to avoid Japan's crazy development to our enterprises to bring losses, we in 57 years, and Japan signed the "United States and Japan Cotton Fabric Agreement."

"But even so, in '65, Japan still had a trade surplus with us."

Because it was prepared, so in the process of Professor Robert's narration, a curve chart also appeared on the big screen in the studio, the blue and red lines represent the amount of Japan's exports to the United States and the amount of imports to the United States, although there is no precise marking of the specific data at each point in time, but the trend of the two curves can be distinguished at a glance.

From '50 to '60, the two lines could still coincide, and from '65 onwards, the curve representing exports soared like a rocket, and by 1995, just by looking at the large scale of the Y-axis, we could see that the gap was more than 20 billion.

"And in the '70s, Japan and our synthetic fiber industry were in serious conflict."

"If we hadn't reached a fiber trade agreement with Japan in '72 and strictly controlled the amount of exports they had to us, maybe we would have been wearing all Made in Japan clothes, using all Made in Japan tableware, and playing with Made in Japan toys...... I think Professor Raphael knows this better than I do. ”

When the old man with glasses looked at the middle-aged man opposite, the scholar from MIT nodded seriously and agreed: "That's right, when I was young, the most common thing in my house was Made in Japan utensils. ”

"As Professor Robert said, our trade friction with Japan began in the fifties, and after the fibre trade agreement was reached in January '72, the tranquility actually lasted only one year and nine months."

"In October '73, the Fourth Middle East War broke out, and because Japan's overseas dependence on oil was as high as 99.7 percent, many light industries could not operate, and since then, their fiber and textile industry has declined rapidly."

"And our fiber textile suppliers are winning without a fight."

"However, in order to continue to develop the economy and accelerate the transformation of the industrial structure, they put the focus of development on knowledge-intensive industries, so our contradiction has changed from light industry to heavy industry."

"That is, automobiles, steel, CNC machinery, household appliances, integrated circuits, these industries?" The moderator asked.

"Yes." Professor Raphael nodded in agreement and said: "Although Toyota was not a company born at that time, they also transformed from a cotton textile factory into the automotive field, and the opportunity for their rapid development was the Middle East War in 73 years. ”

"Because of the oil crisis, they are crazy to eat up our car market."

"It's the same with Honda, which was only established in four or eight years, and they also developed in the field of fibers and textiles at the beginning, and after seven or three years, they sold cars to our country." Professor Robert added.

"Panasonic was also admitted at that time, and they also introduced the VHS standard ......"

"And Sony, in 75 years, they have become a global consumer electronic imaging manufacturer......"

As the two of them continued to replenish, one data sheet after another hit the display screen in the studio.

And what interests Roland the most is the blue stripe belonging to Sony.

Seventy-three years ago, Sony had a place in America's import list with its own invention of semiconductor radios, semiconductor televisions, home video recorders, color televisions and other goods, and seventy-three years later, because of the Middle East war and the emergence of the Walkman, it even accounted for 4% of America's total import trade with Japan!

The market share of color TVs has soared from 1 percent in 65 years to 7 percent in 70 years!

Although this number seems small, Japan's share of the American color TV market in 70 years is only sixteen in total!

At its peak, Japan accounted for more than 30 percent of the American color TV market.

And almost half of this goes to Sony.

"Hold the grass, is it so?"

Roland, who was leaning on the sofa, let out an emotional sound, "The Japanese player who has a good life this little day still has two brushes!" Maybe it's because Sony invaded America a long time ago, so Sony Pictures can survive until the end? ”

Roland admits that as a loyal Suofan who wants to buy a disc drive version of PS5, he does have a certain understanding of Sony, but that is all after the millennium, as for how Sony made its fortune, what outlets did it encounter in the process of making a fortune, and as a pig on the tuyere, how did he ensure that he would not die after the tuyere disappeared......

He didn't know anything about it.

All his digging and calculations were born out of confidence in the long-arm rule of America!

After all, ever since America imposed long-arm rule, it was a hammer that brought others down!

No one can make it through the second round!

Can make America shout Canada first, then the UK, and then block chip procurement-

It can never be Japan!

Since no one was invincible before this, then Roland didn't have to care how Sony made its fortune.

Because it doesn't make sense!

This guy is destined to be unbearable!

Of course, this is the confidence that belongs to the past, but now......

Roland really wanted to know what could be done to make Sonny not care about his pigeon.

Isn't it just cooing!

The first time I bewed, the hundredth time, it was just right!

While Roland stared at the chart and sighed, the discussion continued in the CNN studio.

"As far as I know, the second trade friction in '73, the conflict was very intense?" The moderator asked.

"Yes, in '77, Japan's exports of steel to our country were severely restricted in terms of price, and their color TVs were constrained by the "Agreement on Maintaining Market Order" signed between us and Japan."

Professor Robert said approvingly: "If there is no limit of 1.75 million TVs in three years, I think in the perception of Professor Raphael's generation, TV may be equal to Sony......"

"But now the Walkman in people's mouths is also Sony......" Professor Raphael shook his head helplessly, as if he was dissatisfied with this encroachment, but more like he was helpless about the inability to find a counter-product in China.

"After the restrictions on steel and color TVs, from 81 to 94, in order to protect the automobile market, our ITC (Trade Commission) also imposed voluntary restrictions on this one of their products."

"In '87, Japan's semiconductor products occupied 95 percent of the domestic market and swallowed up more than 25 percent of our market share, so we signed the "US-Japan Semiconductor Agreement" with them......

"Of course, in order to fight back, they also restricted our beef, oranges and other agricultural products."

The Plaza Accord was on the table in order to bring the Trade Act of 1974, which dominated the multilateral trading system, to the public, to address the sharp increase in America's foreign trade deficit and to wipe the butt of the collapsed Bretton Woods system.

However, after the Plaza Accord, the sharp appreciation of the yen against the US dollar did not effectively improve the problems existing in Japan-US trade, but instead escalated the trade friction of a single industry into a compound friction at the exchange rate and institutional level, so in 1988, America strengthened the "301 Clause" in the "1974 Trade Act" and launched the "Super 301 Clause" on the Japanese steel, automobile, and semiconductor industries.

The economy and the system must be adjusted to reduce the resistance of American products to Japan.

Although the two professors on the TV have repeatedly said that this is a protection for domestic enterprises and a serious consideration for the stability of national life, Roland knows in his heart that this is nothing more than relying on his big fists and hitting whoever he wants.

I felt that Japan's economic structure and political system were affecting me, so I asked the other party to change it.

Isn't this just calling people as grandchildren?

And Japan really couldn't beat him, so the two sides set up the 'US-Japan Structural Council' in '89.

and the U.S.-Japan Agreement on Structural Issues.

In order to avoid friction, Japan began to invest overseas on a large scale, and the slogan "Buy the United States" appeared.

"At that time, more than 96 percent of Hawaii's overseas investment came from Japan."

"In five years, they have completed 18 mergers and acquisitions worth more than $1 billion."

"Nearly 10 percent of the real estate in our country has been bought by Japanese companies, and Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Itochu Corporation, Toshiba, and Sony are the main forces in this purchase, but this still has not stopped the growth of the trade deficit."

"This year, our trade deficit with Japan has risen to 63 billion yuan, accounting for 40 percent of the annual foreign trade deficit, a record high, so it has become obvious that the restrictions will continue."

"Last year, Japan dumped 83,300 tons of hot-rolled steel plate against us, and it became the target of restrictions."

Under the explanations of Professor Robert and Professor Raphael, the trade friction that broke out this time was explained clearly, not only that, but they also called this friction the largest in history, because in addition to the conflict between hot-rolled steel plate and rice, dumping and anti-dumping confrontation in other fields will also be revealed one by one.

"As far as we know, the ITC has determined that the export of Japanese large-scale computers to China has led to a decline in the price of China's large-scale computers, which has caused harm to manufacturers, so they have to submit an application to ask the Ministry of Commerce to curb this behavior of Japan, Professor Robert, what do you think is the probability that the Ministry of Commerce will pass?" The moderator glanced at the script.

"This one will definitely pass."

Professor Robert said: "Japan sells large-scale computers to China at low prices, which damages China's electronic computer market, and since '93, IBM's sales revenue has declined, and at the same time, their research and development funds have not decreased, if Japan is allowed to dump large computers on us, then our enterprises in the same industry will have to reduce their research and development costs because of the reduction in income, and once the research and development costs go down, it is equivalent to giving up this market to others." ”

"Is that for companies like Fujitsu and Hitachi?" The moderator asked.

"Yes." Professor Robert nodded.

"What else?" The moderator turned to look at Professor Raphael, "What other industries does the professor think will cause friction?" ”

"Actually, I think there can be friction in all industries, because what Japan likes to use the most is a roundabout tactic."

"For example, we restricted Japanese steel, and then they didn't sell steel, but sold hot-rolled sheets, a processed product, and for example, we used to restrict their color TVs, and then they didn't sell color TVs in large quantities, but dumped Walkmans on us, and then we restricted their cars, and then they didn't export cars in large quantities, but split them up and sold us auto parts......

"In this case, the restriction of a single industry is useless."

"What's more, after Japan found that as long as we exported too many single products, we would restrict their industry, so they began to change their thinking and seek the right to speak in the industry."

"The most typical example is the Japanese Victory Company!"

"They developed the VHS system in 1976, and then VHS tapes gobbled up the global market."

"Later, Shengli Company joined forces with Sony and Panasonic to launch the VCD standard."

"And now the whole market is VCD!"

"Then Sony and Toshiba released a DVD."

"Last year, the world's first DVD rewritable format DVD-RAM was born!"

"One standard after another is the solution that Japan has come up with when dealing with trade frictions!"

"Just imagine, every time we produce a DVD, we have to pay Sony, Toshiba, this kind of licensing fees, can be much more exaggerated than dumping a single product! The right to speak in the industry sought by Japanese companies is what we need to be most vigilant about! ”

Syllable!

Professor Raphael slapped the table, and the dull sound was met with Professor Robert's approval.

"That's right, the best way to break through friction is to have the right to speak in an industry, and when the industry is only what I say, then any restrictions will not work, and Japan is doing these things now."

"Since Professor Raphael has mentioned Sony many times, we can also say a few more words."

"Although I don't think Sony will be the focus of this trade friction, Sony has been setting industry rules."

"In '75, they launched Betamax, and although they lost to VHS, they didn't give up."

"They're tinkering with game consoles just to promote a CD-ROM with Philips, and last year they released a VAIO laptop, which was just to solidify their position in film and television entertainment."

"As long as they control the right to speak, their image receiving chips can monopolize the global market."

"Then, they are still working on non-MP3 audio encoding, and if they succeed, their WalkMan will be able to dominate the world in the digital age, without fear of any country restriction at all."

"Because the products of various national companies have adopted Sony's standards, the country wants to restrict them, but the manufacturers still don't do it!"

"So, like Professor Raphael's point of view, while we can solve the trade deficit through restrictions, we also have to find ways to curb these companies that are trying to set industry standards, even if they ......"

"The products produced by these companies are not strategic materials."

"But their success will give hope to those producers of strategic goods."

"What does the professor mean that if you can, I hope the relevant departments can target Sony?"

The moderator asked, "But this seems to be an unrealistic thing, as you said, as a non-strategic goods manufacturer, we can't find any reason to deal with a company like Sony, which is an example for Japanese companies......

"That's the problem." Professor Rafael shrugged his shoulders and said: "Sony is taking the road of consumer electronics, and their current core product, game consoles, we don't have any company that can target, their portable digital music products, we don't have a company that can target, as for other industries, they don't have the intention of setting standards for the time being, so ......"

"If we just want to show our determination to protect various industries, dealing with it will do more harm than good."

"In that case, we can only focus on the trade friction that has broken out." The host said with emotion.

Everyone knows that the so-called so-called harm outweighs the good, but it is only because there are no companies crying in Congress to grow.

It's like Raytheon shouted loudly, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was beaten to give up the market......

The profits that everyone talks about are nothing but the interests of the capitalists.

If the capitalists feel that it is unprofitable to enter this industry, then no one will be stupid and waste their efforts in areas that even capital is too lazy to invade, and in this case, of course, Sony can live a nourishing life.

While these guys continued to analyze, Roland, who was sitting in front of the TV, laughed.

Because he figured out one thing—

"It turns out that Apple took the road of monopoly but was not investigated, because these guys originally wanted to deal with Sony!"

"Sony's repeated complaints about Microsoft's malicious competition have also disappeared because of America's will......"

The iPod has grown with the joint support of various music companies.

The XBox's low-price strategy has been complained about countless times by Sony, but no one has been able to bird it at all.

In his previous life, Roland only knew these facts, but now......

It's not for nothing that Sony has to sell the building at a loss!

Thanks to Sony Mobile Communications, 5G has not been developed, otherwise, they would have been dismantled long ago.

"But...... Even if I knew what the environment Sony was facing? ”

"This environment can only guarantee that when we start with Sony, we can get unconditional support from various industries, but ......"

"The key knife that stabbed Sony to death, I still can't find a chance to start!"

That's right!

Roland felt that even if he understood the general trend, it would be useless!

Because of this general trend, he can't borrow it at all.

Anyway, Roland went to tell Sony, I can try to get the Ministry of Commerce to suspend the restrictions on your commodity industry, I just need you to make a statement and invest in "Black Hawk Down".

Not to mention whether Roland has this ability, this kind of transaction alone looks very brain-dead.

Only when those military-industrial complexes stomp their feet, the Ministry of Commerce will break their legs, and if he Roland has the ability......

I still need to dig a fart pit!

Isn't that an extra move!

It's precisely because it's just over, so I want to get under the set, and if it's just over, wouldn't it be over if I went over directly?

Of course, Roland doesn't think the show is in vain.

At least......

For him, a guy who hasn't read for many years, made up for the lessons.

After Roland put things like the U.S.-Japan trade war aside, life went on.

In his spare time, he occasionally attends parties held by Carl Icahn's old guys.

Although everyone didn't mean to talk about business, the 'peers' still got to know a lot.

To Roland's surprise, Charlie Munger, who lives in New York, takes one day a week out to play golf.

Even if Roland didn't play well, he didn't feel any shame when he lost to these old men.

Under the alternating relaxation of the combination of work and rest, Roland, who was still anxious, gradually calmed down.

After calming down, the days passed quickly.

"StarCraft: Brood War" was released on November 30, and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" was announced to meet the public at Christmas.

From 17 to 20 December, on Christmas Eve, the United States and Britain launched four rounds of air raids codenamed 'Desert Fox' against Iraq, which lasted 70 hours, carried out 650 air strikes on more than 90 Iraqi targets, launched more than 500 cruise missiles, and killed 1,400 people.

Although the war was very cruel, for the people of America and England, the war was still far away.

Not to mention, this kind of war is still a crushing situation.

In this case, Christmas in 98 is still a carnival of merchants, a dazzling array of goods to dazzle people, and even the hustle and bustle of promotional activities is rape people's eyeballs, and people returning home......

I don't dare to be empty-handed.

It's the same with James Olson.

After going out to study for a year and not returning, he appeared in front of his family with a large bag and a small bag, and after he distributed the prepared gifts to his sister's parents, the extra two looked extremely dazzling.

"Huh? What about Roland? The former chubby dun asked in wonder.

"Huh? Didn't you get in touch? Elizabeth, who was unpacking the gift, asked without raising her head, although she was full of doubts, but she immediately answered her brother's question, "He has gone to England, and he will spend time at Kate's house this year......