The United States and China conducted a record $690 billion in combined trade last year. Protectionist policies will result in lower figures for 2023, but China will remain a top American trading partner. This intertwined trade relationship highlights that America has everything in the world to gain from smart, tough and effective competition with China — and everything to lose if relations deteriorate to the point of direct armed conflict.
War with China is neither inevitable nor necessary, but actions and policies currently being pursued in both Beijing and Washington are mindlessly drifting towards a clash.
There is yet time — and plenty of motivation — for American policymakers to regain control of the situation and steer relations with our huge but unruly trading partner in a direction that benefits the U.S., secures ourselves and allies, and keeps open a path to indefinite economic benefit. To obtain those desirable goals, however, will require changing both our mentality and actions towards Beijing.
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