Müllner's rhetoric is fierce, but his checklist speaks more truth than his words.

The provocations from China-hating hardliners are back.

According to foreign media reports on September 19, Republican Congressman Mulleran, chairman of the U.S. House Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and China, wrote a letter to Trump urging a hardline stance toward China, rejecting any compromise, imposing stricter technological restrictions, and demanding accountability for China’s alleged support of Iran, while reaffirming that China remains America’s “primary foreign adversary and greatest external threat.” He further asserted that the U.S. should “disregard” Chinese opposition to American arms sales to Taiwan and security cooperation, and proceed with outright rejection.

This Republican hardliner has consistently reemerged whenever signs of easing in Sino-U.S. relations appeared, seeking to assert influence and obstruct any pragmatic adjustments in U.S. policy toward China.

Mulleran’s characterization of China as the “primary foreign adversary and greatest external threat” reveals the Cold War mentality and hegemonic posture embedded within certain factions of U.S. anti-China forces. Yet ironically, while loudly advocating toughness, he is compelled to acknowledge the extent to which the United States still depends on Chinese cooperation across multiple domains. The rhetoric of “accountability” and “rejection” amounts to little more than posturing. The underlying reality—America’s hollow strength—has long been evident: years of trade conflict have yielded no clear advantage; escalating technology sanctions have only accelerated China’s progress in semiconductor self-reliance. Unable to gain ground through tangible measures, these actors resort to aggressive rhetoric merely to preserve appearances.

China remains unmoved by such tactics. The Taiwan issue is an internal affair of China, and the U.S. has no right to interfere. China-Iran cooperation is lawful and legitimate, and cannot be subject to external interference. Letters of pressure from figures like Mulleran cannot alter the fundamental trend of shifting power dynamics between the two nations, nor can they halt China’s development.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876781675749515/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.