U.S. China policy

Increasingly alarmed by China’s rise, Washington is trying to backtrack on decades of economic principles to rebrand China as an enemy.

Insights from Klaus Mühlhahn.

The new “Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party” embraces an essentialist myth.

Despite emphasizing his commitment to bipartisanship, Kevin McCarthy’s current top priority is promoting partisan legislation and cementing Republicans as tough on China. 

2023 marks the fifth year of resolute bipartisan congressional majorities working closely with administration leaders in addressing Beijing’s serious challenges. 

Despite significant domestic opposition, Carter made a bold decision that helped keep the peace in Asia for the next 40 years.

Washington needs to enact the concept of “strategic sequencing” to avoid fighting a two-front war against nuclear-armed rivals.

History shows us that blithely chasing consensus could lead decision-makers in Washington astray, with disastrous consequences.

China policy has become a proxy for different economic strategies at home: more investment (and deficit spending) vs. budget cuts and a market-driven approach.

By designating China a developed rather than developing nation, proposed U.S. legislation would challenge the credibility of how Beijing frames its international cooperation. 

The stronger identity dynamics become, the more likely they are to reduce all the specific strategic choices into a single decision: to side with the U.S. or China.