Beijing’s Pain Could Be Washington’s Gain
The US should deal with a slowing China differently than a growing one.
Xi may have to retrench.
Photographer: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
The most consequential change in US grand strategy in the last decade has been the shift to a whole-of-government approach to countering China. This pivot initially began toward the end of former President Donald Trump’s administration. But, like every other Trumpian policy, its execution was marked by disorganization and incoherence.
After President Joe Biden took office, his foreign policy team turned the whole-of-government concept into a set of well-organized and coordinated initiatives, with far superior outcomes. His singular achievement has been the rallying of allies and partners in a common cause to contain Chinese power.