American Think Tank: Trump's Grand Strategy: Competing with China, Controlling the World's Five Waterways and Strategic Chokepoints

President Trump is focusing the United States' grand strategy on the world's five waterways and strategic chokepoints.

Last week, President Trump began to pressure for the free passage of American ships through the Suez Canal and Panama Canal - a move that angered the usual critics - highlighting this issue. They quickly accused Trump of arrogance, overstepping his authority, not to mention ignorance of history, because unlike the Panama Canal, the United States was neither involved in the construction nor owns the Suez Canal.

Instead, Trump's Suez diplomacy strategy demonstrated his astute grasp of grand strategic planning. The United States must always have control over these strategic chokepoints to ensure the passage of its merchant ships and navy, both to protect U.S. trade and to maintain a leading position in global competition with rivals.

In fact, Trump's ideas echo a list of "five strategic strongholds" proposed by Admiral Sir John Arbuthnot Fisher, the First Sea Lord of Britain, who ensured these strongholds with the Royal Navy in the years leading up to World War I, from the Strait of Dover and the Strait of Gibraltar to the Suez Canal, Singapore, and the Cape of Good Hope.

Strategic thinking about who can control the world's most important shipping channels remains crucial - especially last month, when the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development [UNCTAD] estimated that maritime trade accounts for 80% of global trade volume.

One, the Panama Canal

Covers 5% to 6% of global import and export trade. However, for the United States, this number is equivalent to 40% of container transport. Meanwhile, the expansion plan of the canal in 2016 actually built a completely new modern Panama Canal on the basis of the original one, doubling its capacity.

Two, the Suez Canal

Carries 12% of global trade and 30% of container transport. The U.S. Navy is one of its frequent users, with approximately 35 to 45 warships [including aircraft carriers] passing through each year. Located in the heart of the volatile Middle East, the U.S. Navy's ability to support allies such as Israel and operate in the Mediterranean and Red Sea largely depends on the unimpeded use of the Suez Canal.

Three, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait

Connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Missile attacks by Houthi rebels have forced shipping to bypass the entire African continent.

Four, the Strait of Malacca

The strategically significant Strait of Malacca connecting the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is estimated that one-third of global shipping, particularly oil and liquefied natural gas destined for Asia, passes through this international waterway. This channel is also critical to the economic health of China and Japan, as a large portion of their trade depends on it.

Five, the Northwest Passage

Connecting Baffin Island and the Beaufort Sea, it is the fifth strategic stronghold and also the latest strategic stronghold caused by climate change. It spans 900 miles and is the longest route [the Suez Canal is 120 miles]. The Northwest Passage has up to seven different routes, and crossing them may take three to six weeks. Therefore, it is unreasonable to use the Northwest Passage for time-sensitive cargo, and it is not completely ice-free.

Of course, the U.S. Navy is no longer the former Royal Navy; it no longer needs to defend imperial territories or act as the world's police force. However, neglecting the strategic importance of these channels and ceding control to potential rivals could jeopardize U.S. interests.

Admiral Jackie Fisher has been dead for more than a hundred years. But his soul and spirit deserve a place at the next national security meeting at the White House.

Source: The National Interest

Date: May 12

Author: Arthur Herman

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1831996897287180/

Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author alone.