Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • US-Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • Western Hemisphere
    • NATO
    • China
  • Analysis
    • Policy Papers
    • Symposia
    • Q&A
    • Polls
    • Grand Strategy Explained
    • Target Taiwan
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / China-Taiwan / Trump’s relations with China
China‑Taiwan, Asia, Basing and global posture, China, Military analysis

September 13, 2026

Trump’s relations with China

“Trump has made some very positive moves when it comes to U.S.–China relations,” Jennifer Kavanagh, a senior fellow and director of military analysis at Defense Priorities, told me. “The most important have been prioritizing stability over confrontation and shifting the frame of the relationship from security to economics.…”

Kavanagh, for example, worries that the maintenance of a strong forward military presence will doom efforts to achieve lasting strategic stability. “Having something like 80,000 U.S. troops concentrated so close to China’s shores will never lead to a ‘decent peace,’” she said, because Beijing will always view this as “inherently threatening.”

 

Read at The American Conservative

Featuring

Jennifer
Kavanagh

Senior Fellow & Director of Military Analysis

Defense Priorities

More on Asia

Op-edAsia, Basing and global posture, China, Military analysis

Tip of the spear, or stranded on beaches? Chinese planners dissect USMC Pacific posture

By Lyle Goldstein

October 20, 2026

Op-edIsrael‑Iran, Asia, China, Middle East

Why the Iran war hasn’t deterred China in East Asia

By Peter Harris

October 18, 2026

In the mediaChina‑Taiwan, Asia, Military analysis, Military strategy and budget, Taiwan

Is this the best time for U.S. strategists to push for abandoning ambiguity on Taiwan?

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

October 13, 2026

In the mediaChina, Asia, China‑Taiwan, Grand strategy, Middle East

Great power cooperation in a fragmented world

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

October 8, 2026

Op-edChina‑Taiwan, Asia, Taiwan

America’s commitment to Taiwan is a liability

By Jennifer Kavanagh

October 7, 2026

In the mediaChina, Asia, Russia

Turkmenistan grows its arsenal of Chinese air defenses as Russia’s role shrinks

Featuring Lyle Goldstein

October 6, 2026

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

Defense Priorities Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported entirely by donations from individuals and foundations—no funding comes from the U.S. government or any foreign government. Donations are unlimited and deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes.

  • Experts
  • Papers
  • Symposia
  • Q&A
  • Polls
  • Events
  • Media
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Contact
  • Donate
© 2026 Defense Priorities Foundation. All rights reserved.