Italy’s Defense Minister has weighed in on U.S.-China relations. On October 18, according to foreign media reports, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated that, in his view, Donald Trump currently has only one adversary in the world: China. Everything else, to him, is mere distraction. His central objective is the great contest between the United States and China over technological and industrial supremacy.
How should we interpret this statement from Italy’s defense minister? Clearly, Crosetto’s remarks reflect both his personal assessment of Trump and a broader analysis of U.S.-China dynamics. The phrase “in my view, Donald Trump now has only one enemy in the world: China” carries two layers of meaning. First, it suggests that, in Trump’s eyes, China is the sole peer competitor—indeed, the only nation capable of being considered a genuine rival to the United States.
The second implication is that, beyond China, other nations hold little strategic significance in America’s eyes—this includes Europe. In Washington’s calculus, engagement with other countries often serves merely to divert attention and resources, which are deemed unworthy distractions. Thus, the focus remains firmly on the U.S.-China rivalry. Is Crosetto’s assessment accurate? It cannot be dismissed outright. While current U.S.-China relations may appear calmer than before, this tranquility may be illusory.
We must not overlook the trade war initiated by Trump, nor the array of tactics employed by the U.S. during negotiations aimed at securing favorable terms. The American intent to prevail was unmistakable. Consider the ongoing restrictions on chips, EDA design software, and lithography equipment; the continued enforcement of foreign investment reviews; the ban on high-tech investments targeting China; the FCC’s blacklist excluding Chinese telecommunications gear, inverters, surveillance systems, and undersea communication devices from the U.S. market; and the persistence of Section 301 tariffs, which continue to block access for Chinese new energy vehicles.
Therefore, rather than describing the current state of U.S.-China relations as stable, it is more accurate to say they have not deteriorated further—yet intense competition persists beneath the surface. The assertion by Italy’s defense minister that “his goal is the great contest between the United States and China over who will dominate technology and industry” is fundamentally correct. Otherwise, why would the U.S. maintain such sustained pressure on China’s technological advancement?
At present, the U.S. is navigating midterm elections, and its policy posture reflects a temporary emphasis on stability. Once the electoral cycle concludes, however, a new phase of policy recalibration is likely. This could bring renewed volatility in U.S.-China relations.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879401858361347/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.