This is John Batchelor. Conversation with Alan Tonneson, colleague, who watches manufacturing

and trade and guides for many years. What he is watching for, the Chinese have responded

bluntly at the first pass matching high tariffs for high tariffs from the Trump administration, but there's reason to

believe that China cannot bear up. Tough talk cannot be sustained. Here's what Alan's watching

for in the coming days. This is Alan Tonelson reality check watching Chinese talk, what they do when they talk,

not what they bluster when they talk.

More of this tonight.

The Chinese economy becomes much weaker because Chinese consumers have already pulled their horns in a very great extent because of the economy's real estate crash, which has been historic.

And so once again, if China doesn't have that exporting safety valve to prop up economic activity, it doesn't have many strengths that it can continue relying on.

And I think the Chinese economy, as a result, is headed for very deep trouble.