- The US China dispute is morphing from a trade war to a global competition for influence, alliances, markets, and resources.
China’s proactive, meticulously planned, all-of-country approach seems to be reaping rewards for now, as it expands its influence in SE Asia, Africa, and now Central Asia.The US is still reacting with an ad-hoc collection of regulations and diplomatic scrambling.The Western Cold-War mentality that government plans are by-definition inefficient and destined for failure simply doesn’t jibe with Beijing's economic and social success since the 1990s.China’s biggest threat is, as it has always been, China – over-reach and hostility have doomed empires before, and may do so again. If the West is unified and open, it will be able to capitalize on any disruption in China’s growing sphere of influence. If, however, we are consumed by internal nationalistic priorities we will squander every opportunity to reclaim influence.