US-China relations have always been a hot-button issue, and recent developments suggest they could become even more complex. With impending changes poised to shake up the political scene, especially after Donald Trump's selection of Pete Hegseth as his Secretary of Defense, the nuances of military ties and foreign policy are under scrutiny.
Hegseth, known for his position as a political commentator on Fox News and a veteran of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, is no stranger to controversy. His hawkish rhetoric against China set alarm bells ringing for analysts who predict his nomination may infuse unpredictability and tension between the superpowers. Describing China as the US's primary adversary, he stated, “China’s building an army specially dedicated to defeating the United States of America.” Such assertive comments echo sentiments shared widely within certain political spheres, but they do little to assuage fears of a confrontational posturing toward Beijing.
It’s worth noting the historical backdrop of these military discussions. The current climate stems from long-standing tensions over several key issues: trade disparities, Taiwan’s status, and maritime disputes. Biden's administration has taken steps to address these, with military communications high on his agenda during his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, set to take place on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru.
The meeting marks the first face-to-face encounter for the two leaders since last November, and come just before Hegseth potentially steps onto the national stage to influence military policy directly. Biden hopes to ease anxieties and reinforce cooperation rather than allow for escalation. Alongside military dialogue, Biden intends to discuss counter-narcotics efforts, especially as Fentanyl, often sourced from China, continues to plague the United States.
But there’s also the issue of North Korea to contend with. With military movements drawing the ire of many, Biden will likely address the relationship between North Korea and Russia—a development he has noted with concern. The exchange between the US and China, interspersed with discussions about mutual security interests, keeps the stakes high for both countries, but presents opportunities for diplomacy, too.
Interestingly, analysts like Zhu Feng, executive dean of Nanjing University’s school of international studies, caution against Hegseth’s nomination. They warn the lack of experience Hegseth has within the traditional military frame could jeopardize delicate military-to-military communications shared between countries. Zhu stated, “Although he has long-term military service experience, he lacks experience in holding positions within the US military and defense system.” This creates uncertainty about how future interactions and negotiations could evolve.
Bridging back to the political winds swirling around the potential upcoming changes, Trump has indicated he will impose increased tariffs on Chinese imports should he regain the presidency. This would add another layer of complexity to the relationship already strained by previous policies. Hegseth's ascent may signal a commitment to pushing back against what many see as economic aggression from Beijing, baking hardline stances deeply within US policy.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has sought memory and reflection from the interactions over recent months, citing progress made on military ties and coordination. Nonetheless, they remain cautious, especially with the volatility of political tides influencing national conversations.
With both nations poised on the brink of potentially historic decisions, it becomes salient for observers to keep their eyes peeled for updates. Relations continue to be dissected and analyzed as leaders lay foundations for future engagements—be they adversarial or cooperative.
Deepening the political dialogue, the forthcoming meeting between Biden and Xi marks not only a step toward increased communication but also serves as a litmus test for the new military policies Hegseth might advocate. Will he embrace dialogues aimed at stability, or forge a path leading to antagonism? For now, uncertainty looms large over US-China relations as these prominent figures prepare for their high-stakes discussions.
