A new global stage is clearly being set as Western powers begin to react to China’s rivalling interests, and the U.K. may be positioning itself as a middle ground for the 21st Century.

Strategic adjustments, characterized by economic decoupling, high-tech restrictions and military posturing in the Indo-Pacific region, will transform the bilateral relationship and the shape of global security itself.

An extreme imbalance of power appears likely to emerge in the future. Donald Trump’s personal attitude will be a critical factor influencing the sensitive political dynamics of the island, and doubts about the reliability of U.S. support will continue to grow.

In this interview, Fudan University’s Professor Wu Xinbo warns that U.S.-China relations have worsened across political, economic, and security fronts since 2019, emphasizing that mutual trust is now near zero and urging a mindset shift toward cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world.

U.S. restrictions aimed at obstructing China’s technological development have, in practice, accelerated China’s pursuit of technological self-reliance.

The future of the Trump administration’s Indo-Pacific Strategy remains fluid. However, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s two visits to the region, including his recent attendance and speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, shed a little light.

Given the fact that most disruptions in the bilateral relationship originate in Washington, it is essential that the Trump administration apply the consensus reached during the call to its future actions.

America’s reindustrialization process relies heavily on China’s industrial system support. In an increasingly competitive global market, China’s full-fledged industrial system emerges as the most cost-effective and competitive option.

The U.S. president is coercing its allies to coordinate the policies related to critical minerals to weaken China’s influence in the global market and create a more “safe and reliable” supply chain for the United States.

Hong Kong remains a vital and distinct gateway between China and the world, with its common law system and international character serving essential functions for China's global engagement and soft power. Despite rising geopolitical tensions and U.S. policy shifts, particularly under Trump, Hong Kong can preserve its relevance by investing in education exchanges, hosting unofficial Sino-American dialogues, and positioning itself as a hub for global governance debates.