Mixed Messaging About A "Bloody Nose" Strike; The Party Will Cleanse The Financial System; News With Chinese Communist Party Characteristics; China-UK "Golden Era" Looks Gold-plated And Dented; Maotai's Headaches

Good morning, let's get right to it.

The Essential Eight

1. Mixed Messaging About A "Bloody Nose" Strike On North Korea

The Trump administration is trying to correct multiple recent reports claiming the nomination of Victor Cha to be ambassador to South Korea was pulled because he opposed quick military action.

This kind of mixed messaging probably does not help with the US pressure campaign on Beijing to do more against North Korea. I do not think Beijing seriously believes the US would launch a military strike on North Korea, and this latest incident will help those around Xi arguing that Trump is more bark than bite.

A ‘bloody nose’ attack on North Korea is not happening anytime soon - The Washington Post:

Several administration officials and experts tell me the truth is more complicated. Most important, they say, the Trump administration’s North Korea policy of applying maximum pressure with the aim of creating the conditions for negotiations, as was decided in a thorough interagency re…