Post by LSE IDEAS

Chinese analysts often interpret Donald Trump’s approach to China through the lens of Cold War rivalry and ideological competition. But does that framework actually capture how Trump understands U.S.–China relations? In this new China Dialogues piece, Sean Nottoli argues that Trump’s China policy is better understood through transactional realism, economic leverage, trade, technology, and strategic competition than through a democracy-versus-communism framework. The mismatch matters. If Beijing reads Washington’s actions as part of a long-term ideological struggle, while Washington sees them as pragmatic tools of bargaining, the risk of miscalculation rises. Sustained dialogue, Track II exchanges, and clearer diplomatic signalling may therefore be essential to managing competition. 🔗 Read the full piece on LSE IDEAS’ China Dialogues blog: https://lnkd.in/eQDcdNzV