This episode explores the prevailing underestimation of China's power and the challenges it poses to U.S. foreign policy. Against the backdrop of shifting assessments of China's economic and political trajectory, the discussion pivots to the arguments presented by Kurt Campbell and Rush Doshi in their essay, "Underestimating China." More significantly, the conversation delves into the sources of Chinese power, highlighting its size, scale, and long-term strategic ambitions, contrasting this with the declinist narratives that have recently emerged. For instance, the speakers analyze China's manufacturing dominance and its implications for global competition. The discussion then shifts to the Biden administration's approach to managing competition with China, emphasizing the importance of alliances and the need for a more substantial upgrade in U.S. strategy toward Asia. Finally, the conversation touches upon the potential risks of a near-term crisis in the Taiwan Strait and the broader implications of the escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China, concluding with a warning about the potential for unforeseen consequences and the need for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach.
