In Sharm el-Sheikh last week, former President Donald Trump praised leaders such as Egypt’s Abdel Fatah al-Sisi for their role in facilitating a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. As Trump prepares to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this month, he faces a more formidable adversary. Trump’s tenure has seen rising tensions in US-China relations, particularly as Xi’s China adopts an increasingly assertive posture on the global stage.
Debate continues in the US and UK regarding China’s expanding influence and its policies, which include aggressive economic strategies and human rights violations in regions like Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet. Recently, China’s imposition of stringent export controls on rare earth minerals has raised security concerns among nations reliant on these materials for advanced technologies and military applications.
These export controls, affecting essential components used in various technologies, including military equipment, could compound challenges for US military supply chains, particularly in the context of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and tensions with Russia. The controls may extend to overseas manufacturers, increasing operational difficulties for global supply chains, including those tied to US defense industries.
While Trump has threatened economic retaliation in response to China’s actions, including potential tariffs, the effectiveness of such measures remains uncertain. Analysts point out that Trump’s administration’s trade policies may not effectively counter China’s growing influence, which is reflected in China’s expanding markets and the shifting dynamics of international partnerships.
The potential geopolitical shift, coupled with internal challenges in the US, raises questions about the future of US-China relations. As China positions itself as a leader among developing nations and consolidates influence through organizations like BRICS, concerns grow regarding the US’s declining global presence. For countries like the UK, these developments pose significant challenges in navigating their own foreign policy amidst this evolving landscape.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/oct/19/donald-trump-xi-jinping-china-trade-tariffs-us-beijing