As China-U.S. relations spiral downward, a crucial moment has been reached. The next five months will determine whether or not the relationship can be salvaged. If Trump is re-elected, the two countries may slide into irreversible confrontation.

Unlike the Cold War between the West and the USSR, a US-China cold war is unlikely, given the fact that China is heavily integrated in the global economy and that people-to-people exchange remains high.

In a new White House document, the “Strategic Approach to the People’s Republic of China”, the Trump administration accuses the Chinese Communist Party of exploitative economic and military tactics, which the U.S. plans to counter with a wide-range of means.

China-U.S. relations must not be allowed to slide toward a new Cold War or even military conflict. The two countries, and the world at large, have too much to lose. If official cooperation is not achievable, then connections at other levels should take its place.

China is the unambiguous target as the United States shifts away from engagement to pure containment, even though economic logic suggests a more benign path would yield greater benefits.

The pandemic has accelerated the US pushback against China across the military, economic, and communication dimensions to new heights. There are serious risks of a US-China race to the bottom.

Joe Biden has recently taken a hardline stance on China despite his support for globalist ideals throughout his career. The shift is indicative of how an increasing distaste for China in the American public will be heavily influential for the administration that is voted into office in November.

American politicians are trying to blame China for the nation’s suffering, but the fact is that it’s suffering because of the incompetence of its leaders. All paths of blame lead directly to President Donald Trump.

The prospect of confrontation without dialogue between China and the United States is unthinkable, even dangerous — especially during a pandemic. But unless something is done soon, that’s where things are heading.

Public opinion in the United States pins the blame for the COVID-19 pandemic squarely on China. After all, that’s where the virus started. And President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have fanned the flames by accusing China of covering up the outbreak and knowingly allowing the novel coronavirus to spread. But their supposed smoking gun, the tragic fate of the heroic whistleblower, Li Wenliang, fires only blanks.