Emma Ashford and Trevor Thrall of the Cato Institute explain the complete lack of a clear goal from either of America’s top political parties in regards to China. They write:
The growing consensus on China is troubling.
Having identified China as America’s biggest strategic challenge, neither party has identified a clear goal. Nor have they articulated how a new approach to China would provide a foundation for a broader vision of American foreign policy.
Regardless of which camp triumphs, the risk of creating a self-fulfilling prophecy on China — through confrontation without purpose — is real.
As both parties seek a new foil against which to frame American foreign policy, they may end up instead creating the incentives for further confrontation.
Read more here.