Sanjiv Anand, Chairman, Cedar Management Consulting International

The article challenges Gordon Chang’s view that China under Xi Jinping seeks to dismantle the Westphalian system of sovereign states and that Trump’s “America First” stance is a principled defense of sovereignty. It argues China does not aim to export ideology or replace the global order, but pragmatically pursues its interests using “sharp power” to extract value and influence, especially from smaller neighbors. While Beijing applies pressure regionally, this is consistent with historical behavior of great powers, not a novel systemic threat. Trump’s policies may rightly confront China on trade and market access, but they stem from populist instincts and domestic politics rather than strategic vision. The article contends that disengagement weakens U.S. influence and accelerates China’s regional pull. Effective engagement with China requires strong alliances, reciprocity in trade and investment, leadership in multilateral institutions, and renewed confidence in democratic values and soft power.