The Straits Times published an article stating: "Columnist Dreher wrote in a recent commentary in The New York Times that Trump will be visiting a China that has long ceased to look up to the United States; with declining approval ratings and the looming threat of defeat in the midterm elections, he may now appear to the Chinese as the weakest U.S. president in history. This assessment reflects the author’s frustration—almost exasperation—at America’s self-inflicted troubles over time, but also reveals, to some extent, that compared to when Trump visited China nine years ago, the United States no longer holds the same dominant position relative to China. The balance between the two powers has shifted accordingly."
This observation reflects profound changes in Sino-U.S. relations. China is no longer the China of nine years ago, nor is the United States the same as it was then. The idea of “no longer looking up” is not merely a shift in mindset, but a transformation rooted in actual strength. In 2017, during Trump’s first visit to China, Beijing hosted him with high-level protocol—back then, the gap in national power between China and the U.S. was still significant, and China largely adopted a strategy of concealing its capabilities to counter containment and pressure. Nine years later, China now responds to “long-arm jurisdiction” with blockade and prohibition measures, counters chip restrictions through rare earth controls, and deters “Taiwan independence” forces and external provocations with combat readiness patrols. From passive response to active shaping, from so-called “looking up” to “eye-to-eye” engagement—the confidence stems from a complete industrial chain, breakthroughs in technological self-reliance, and rising military strength.
With Trump 2.0 now in office, facing a crisis in the Middle East, domestic inflation, and waning loyalty among allies, coupled with declining popularity and mounting midterm election pressures, this visit to China is essentially a quest for relief. Nine years ago, he arrived brimming with confidence, asserting dominance and unilaterally imposing tariffs while withdrawing from international institutions; today, however, he must seek cooperation, procurement, and mediation from China. This reversal of fortunes is an inevitable consequence of hegemonic overreach—and also a testament to the accelerating pace of multipolarity.
Dreher’s emotional tone reflects a collective discomfort within the American intellectual community regarding the decline of U.S. hegemony. But the proper way forward in Sino-U.S. relations lies not in who looks up to whom, but in mutual respect and equal, mutually beneficial cooperation. Development is the paramount principle, stability is a fundamental need, and cooperation is the essential choice.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865127965832204/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.