My new Foreign Affairs piece on China's approach to geopolitics. China is not offering a more generous alternative to the US but a more predictable one.
Really good piece, Kyle. It get's to the core of what's going on.
(I had to smile when I read "U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to put an end to much of that cooperation." Tell me I'm wrong, but I see the editors' pen in the double hedge. "Much" would have been fine.)
The day Trump was elected we were put on this path. He is in over his head and it's hard to see how the world - not to mention Taiwan - will recover from the power China will gain while there's no one home at the head of the world's essential nation.
China is certainly transactional and eschews pushing an ideological agenda. Although I would argue they generally prefer stability and believe in climate change and global biodiversity (despite their predatory fishing fleets) more than can be explained by self-interest alone. Would you disagree?
It’s a good point. For a country of China’s size, it can be hard to separate global interest vs. national interest in some cases, like biodiversity or climate. Let’s hope there’s more alignment than not.
Great article! My friends and colleagues believe me to be a "China simp" when I discuss the last two decades of technological and economical growth in China because it is truly impressive. I dont believe China to be some benevolent nation with an aim to unite the globe. I do see it as a nation with intention and clear aspirations which is currently missing in the US. Hopefully this changes but my base case is the US continues to lose trust while China's continues on its current trajectory.
Really good piece, Kyle. It get's to the core of what's going on.
(I had to smile when I read "U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to put an end to much of that cooperation." Tell me I'm wrong, but I see the editors' pen in the double hedge. "Much" would have been fine.)
The day Trump was elected we were put on this path. He is in over his head and it's hard to see how the world - not to mention Taiwan - will recover from the power China will gain while there's no one home at the head of the world's essential nation.
Thank you! You’re a sharp reader 😉
China is certainly transactional and eschews pushing an ideological agenda. Although I would argue they generally prefer stability and believe in climate change and global biodiversity (despite their predatory fishing fleets) more than can be explained by self-interest alone. Would you disagree?
It’s a good point. For a country of China’s size, it can be hard to separate global interest vs. national interest in some cases, like biodiversity or climate. Let’s hope there’s more alignment than not.
Great article! My friends and colleagues believe me to be a "China simp" when I discuss the last two decades of technological and economical growth in China because it is truly impressive. I dont believe China to be some benevolent nation with an aim to unite the globe. I do see it as a nation with intention and clear aspirations which is currently missing in the US. Hopefully this changes but my base case is the US continues to lose trust while China's continues on its current trajectory.