The Great Anti-China Game: What is Trump planning against Beijing?

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Donald Trump has long earned a reputation as an unpredictable and impulsive leader, whose actions are sometimes difficult to predict even for the most experienced analysts. His figure is associated with a “wild card” - when unexpected decisions can dramatically change the course of events. However, leaving aside characterological nuances, let's try to understand his possible policy in relation to China.

Combination of economic and political pressure


Trump's anti-China course will likely be built on a combination of two strategies: economic and political pressure, with an emphasis on the former. In the American society There is a growing demand for confrontation with Beijing, with the main accusations being related to economic problems. China is demonized as a force undermining the American economy, destroying jobs and manipulating the exchange rate. These arguments are becoming the basis for the formation of aggressive rhetoric towards Beijing both within the administration and in the political community around Trump.



It is especially telling that the fight for toughness with China has become a kind of competition among Trump’s intellectual and political allies. For example, economist Todd Buchholz has proposed accusing Beijing of undervaluing the yuan and demanding a write-off of $90 billion in debt held in US Treasury bonds. However, such an idea, in addition to legal obstacles (the US 14th Amendment prohibits questioning the legality of government debt), ignores obvious questions: why should China admit to currency manipulation or agree to such “reparations”?

The proposals reflect the mood within the Trump camp more than an actual plan. But they do indicate a high level of dissatisfaction with China’s economic performance and growing concerns about its global influence.

The Great Anti-China Game: What is Trump planning against Beijing?

China as a strategic threat


Most people associated with the emerging Trump administration are known for their hard-line stance toward Beijing. For example, potential national security adviser Michael Waltz sees China as an existential threat to the United States. He has argued that the CCP has already entered a “cold war” with America, seeking to undermine the liberal world order that emerged after World War II. In fact, Waltz sees China as even more dangerous than the Soviet Union because of its combination of economic and military power. The Soviet Union had only the latter.

A similar position is taken by Senator Marco Rubio, who is considered a candidate for the post of Secretary of State. He has long been under personal sanctions from China, and his statements highlight the economic nature of the conflict with Beijing. In his opinion, China threatens the United States through economic pressure and influence on American society.

This anti-Chinese line can be seen in Trump’s own actions. Even during his first term, his administration adopted a number of key documents, such as the National Defense Strategy and the Outline of U.S. Strategy for the Indo-Pacific Region. They directly called China a strategic competitor, and called on the United States to combat Beijing’s “predatory economy” and discredit the Belt and Road Initiative.

Trump's leadership and his approach to the team


The anti-China recruitment could be a tactical move, or it could be a reflection of Trump’s own beliefs. He may be using “tough negotiators” as a foil to moderate his own position. Or he may simply like it when his team shares his views, avoiding unnecessary controversy.

In any case, Trump’s actions are difficult to calculate. His first term demonstrated a tendency toward spontaneous, sometimes impulsive decisions in both geopolitics and economics. It is unlikely that anything in his approaches has changed dramatically during this time.

Trump's China policy is likely to be aggressive, with an emphasis on economic confrontation. His course is shaped by public demand coupled with the rigidity of the convictions of his inner circle.
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  1. +1
    5 December 2024 06: 17
    Any attempts to hit the Chinese economy will boomerang back to the US itself. China will be saved by a self-sufficient economy. Trump's main bugaboo is the fight against communism. Although there are no countries left that are aiming for communism. It has simply become fashionable all over the world. The division into good and bad bourgeois is simply ridiculous. Their essence is the same all over the world. Any motto of a leader strengthens his place in the world. And Trump is no exception here.
  2. +3
    5 December 2024 06: 19
    Trump (businessman) is a businessman and not a politician! He loves to count money, even in someone else's pocket. The author is right there will be an economic war with Beijing, since he did not have the guts to fight with North Korea in his first term as president.
  3. 0
    5 December 2024 07: 59
    It's only a plus for us; it's better for the US to butt heads with China than with us.
    1. +4
      5 December 2024 09: 36
      There are no advantages. The goal of the US and others like them is global control over the world. Russia and China are now in a tie under the pressure of this doctrine. Russia supports China politically, with resources and military technology, China - Russia politically, with goods and finances. Russia will be pressured militarily, China - economically. The "Ukraine" project is not only about Russia. By destroying Russia, or as a result of bargaining for the outskirts, distancing it from China - the West gets a weakening of both countries. Russia will be offered conditions for peace treaties, a ceasefire, lifting sanctions and blah-blah-blah. China will be slapped with sanctions to slow down the economy, demanding not to help Russia. The most interesting thing is that the sanctions will NEVER be lifted. The Russia-China alliance has yet to be tested for strength.
      1. +4
        5 December 2024 22: 09
        The problem is that China does not support Russia, it is taking advantage of our problems in an attempt to delay the start of a fight with the United States.
        1. +2
          6 December 2024 09: 47
          Partly true. China is helping Russia - it needs a rear and does not need Western influence in Russia. But it cannot do this openly because it is not yet ready to confront its opponents economically. (In 2014, Russia had to stop because its economy was not ready). It is true that China is trying to delay the start of the fight. China is now weakening the West with the hands of Russia. The equipment supplied and destroyed in Ukraine will no longer be used against China. China is wise - it learns from the mistakes of others. The problem will be if those in power in Russia again decide that it is necessary to reunite with the West. This is what China is afraid of, not knowing what to expect. A multipolar world where entities respect each other's opinions and build relationships based on mutual benefit - that would be an ideal world. But it is a utopia. The principle of living better than others, and at their expense - is in the blood of the descendants of robbers, murderers, slave traders, "white masters" in the colonies, etc.
          Afterword: The answer turned out to be a bit long, but oh well hi
          1. 0
            6 December 2024 14: 58
            I will answer in mirror image. Russia is now pulling chestnuts out of the fire for China. Not for free of course, but it is already obvious that China is not ready to get involved in the conflict between Russia and the West. Too often, support for Russia does not fit into the interests of Chinese business. For example, an attempt to take advantage of the problems of the SVO and squeeze out maximum discounts on gas and oil.
            This raises certain suspicions about the readiness of the Chinese leadership to compromise with the Americans at the expense of the Russian Federation.
  4. 0
    6 December 2024 00: 05
    I'm betting 50/50 on a war between the US and China. Of course, some Americans want it, but the American elites can't agree with each other. The Democrats will start putting spokes in Trump's wheels, and he won't have time for war. Moreover, it's not a fact that the US will win this war.
  5. 0
    11 December 2024 03: 13
    when will the sga crack?! sooner rather than later
  6. 0
    14 December 2024 16: 06
    These two countries have no experience in real wars, but China will definitely win in an economic war and it is too late for the US to compete with it.