Let's just say for simplicity's sake, that the Americans are trying to contain China.And in this American so called containment strategy of China, should have at least four areas.
* economic
* technology
* military
* diplomatic
In these four areas, we can subdivide them, such as economically the Americans want to limit US-China trade, then get US allies to restrict their China trade, and want everyone else the rest of the world to not do business with China (with the debt trap narrative and the bad mouthing of the BRI evident of that).
It is kind of surprising how ineffective any of the US actions against China have been economically speaking. The Chinese economy keeps growing at magnitudes of 2x or 5x of the United States. Chinese trade is at record levels, including with the Americans.
What is also really surprising how this recent Chinese diplomatic offensive across the globe has went. The diplomacy is really important. Without good relations and being on the same page, the Americans will not be able to bring people and countries to together to confront China over the other areas.
All we can really say about the military matter is that war is not imminent and the build up continues.
The technology front will be decided in the future, some areas there are ahead, some are behind.
As these articles kind of show, this current period of tension, started with the Trump trade war, has not yielded much of any result for the United States.
Then to top it all off, besides these hostile but largely ineffective US actions against China, there is a real war in Europe where the US is very hostile towards Russia.
It is like the Americans are directing 5th generation warfare against China, and 4th generation warfare against Russia with that proxy war format.
Then the Americans seemed surprised that China and Russia would come together and deepen their relationship.
These four areas of contention, the economic part and the diplomatic part, may not be recoverable for the Americans versus China.
Look at West Asia. What can the Americans do to reverse the tide of a steep climb of Chinese influence there?
Cannot think of anything.
Sure, they can start another war, and topple Saddam again, but he's already passed from the scene, and everyone knows who needs another war, it would be like covid is good or something.
