Those basic differences were publicly displayed at the Anchorage meeting. The Biden administration has elevated the concept of rivalry over governance models, which was first formulated by the European Union (EU) to define one component of its relationship with China, as a fundamental difference over core values, from respecting human and democratic rights to abiding by the rules-based international order. While not a struggle between capitalism and communism, the current rivalry over governance models is no less ideological in nature or important to the world. Nonetheless, an analysis of Christensen’s three classic Cold War elements can help us better understand the contours of the emerging US-China rivalry. With a literal comparison of today’s situation with the previous Cold War, one risks underestimating the complexity and seriousness of China’s challenges.
It is critical to strive for a balanced assessment of the rising competition, avoiding both underestimating the challenges posed by China and exaggerating its strengths-as well as those of the West. However, the question of using or not using the label “cold war” is less important than the reasoning behind the choice. Consequently, writes Christensen, “the voices calling for a cold war containment strategy toward China misunderstand the nature of China’s challenges and therefore prescribe responses that will only weaken the United States.” the global economy has become so integrated that it cannot be separated into blocs, and thus a containment strategy will not work. the United States and China are not leading alliances that could foster proxy wars and precipitate nuclear crises 3.
the United States and China are not engaged in an ideological struggle to win the hearts and minds of third countries 2. ApIs the US-China strategic competition a cold war?Įver since the acrimonious meeting between senior US and Chinese officials in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 18, there has been a renewed debate on whether the heightened tension between the two countries should be called a new cold war.Ĭolumbia University professor Thomas Christensen argues in Foreign Affairs that the current US-China strategic competition cannot be labeled a cold war as it lacks three essential and interrelated elements that defined the US-Soviet Union conflict: 1.
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