White House News (白宮消息) | Apr. 12 , 2021

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China sends aircraft carriers into disputed waters
US intervenes in Philippines, China dispute over 'fishing vessels' in South China Sea

Apr. 12 - US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has discussed with his Philippine counterpart China’s recent positioning of “militia vessels” near the Philippines in the South China Sea.
Mr Austin spoke by phone with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana while he was flying from Washington to Israel to begin an international trip.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Mr Austin and Mr Lorenzana discussed the situation in the South China Sea and the recent massing of Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef, which has drawn criticism from Manila.

READ MORE: Top official admits Chinese vaccines have low effectiveness
China has said its vessels are there for fishing.
In their phone call, Mr Austin proposed to Mr Lorenzana several measures to deepen defence cooperation, including by “enhancing situational awareness of threats in the South China Sea,” Mr Kirby said.
He did not elaborate.
Mr Kirby said earlier this week that the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and its strike group, as well as the amphibious ship USS Makin Island, are operating in the South China Sea.
READ MORE: Iran calls Natanz atomic site blackout 'nuclear terrorism'

The US has no military forces based permanently in the Philippines but sometimes rotates forces to the country under the US-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement.
The recent gathering of Chinese vessels near the Philippines is among moves the United States has criticised as efforts by Beijing to intimidate smaller nations in the region.      source from

Philippines, U.S. to begin 2-week joint military drill on Monday

Apr. 12 - MANILA (Reuters) -Philippine and U.S. soldiers will conduct a two-week joint military exercise from Monday, resuming the annual training event after last year’s cancellation due to the pandemic, the Philippine military chief said on Sunday.

The announcement came after the two countries’ defence secretaries held a phone call to discuss the drills, the situation in the South China Sea, and recent regional security developments.

Unlike previous exercises, however, this year’s “Balikatan” (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) drills to test the readiness of their militaries to respond to threats such natural disasters and militant extremist attacks, will be scaled down.

Only 1,700 troops -- 700 from the United States and 1,000 from the Philippines -- will participate, unlike previous exercises which involved as many as 7,600 soldiers, said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana.
“There will be physical contact but it is minimal,” he said.

The Philippines has protested against the presence of the Chinese boats inside its 200-mile exclusive economic zone at Whitsun Reef in the strategic waterway, repeatedly asking China to move the vessels away.     more

The PLA Navy carrier task group
PLA carrier enters S.China Sea after American flattop exercise amid Taiwan tensions: Global Times

Apr. 12 - (April 12): After holding exercises in waters east of the island of Taiwan for about a week, the Liaoning aircraft carrier task group of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy reportedly sailed south on Saturday into the South China Sea, where a US carrier strike group and an amphibious ready group held provocative exercises one day earlier, as tensions between China and the US continue to rise over the island of Taiwan, with the US loosening restrictions on government engagement with the island, Global Times reported.

The Liaoning aircraft carrier task group was observed entering the South China Sea on Saturday after conducting exercises around the island of Taiwan, US media outlet The Drive reported on Sunday, citing foreign commercial satellite images.

On April 3, the PLA Navy carrier task group passed through waters between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island, Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff said in a press release on April 4, indicating that the group was likely training in waters east of the island of Taiwan. On April 5, a PLA Navy spokesperson confirmed the carrier Liaoning was conducting exercises near the island of Taiwan as part of annually scheduled regular training, Global Times reported.     source from

White House News (白宮消息) | Apr. 10 , 2021

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The US State Department on Friday issued new guidelines that will enable US officials to meet more freely with officials from Taiwan, a move that deepens relations with Taipei amid tensions with China.
​US Issues Guidelines to Deepen Relations with Taiwan Amid Tensions with China

Apr. 10 - ...​Taiwan’s representative office in Washington welcomed a move “substantively reflecting deepening ties between Taiwan and the United States”.

It noted that it came at a time of increasing cooperation in areas such as global health, economics and regional security and enjoyed bipartisan support in the United States.

The State Department announcement comes at a time of raised tensions over Taiwan, which China claims as its own. Taiwan has complained over the last few months of repeated missions by China’s air force near the island.

The White House on Friday announced it was keeping a close watch on increased Chinese military activities in the Taiwan Strait, and called Beijing’s recent actions potentially destabilizing.

Beijing on Thursday blamed Washington for tensions after a US warship sailed close to Taiwan.
China believes the United States is colluding with Taiwan to challenge Beijing and giving support to those who want the island to declare formal independence.     quoted from

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​Rev › Blog › Transcripts › Press Conference Transcripts › Press Secretary Jen Psaki White House Press Conference Transcript April 9

Press Secretary Jen Psaki White House Press Conference Transcript April 9

Date published on April 9, 2021
 ...Jen Psaki: (28:16)

• Well, first, I would say that no actions that we are taking as it relates to sanctions are meant to be targeted at the North Korean people. They are in the conditions and the circumstances they’re in because of the actions of their leadership. We continue to work with international leaders and organizations to provide humanitarian assistance, something that we believe is important and vital to do from a humane standpoint, even while we have issues with their nuclear aspirations.
• Jen Psaki: (28:42)
• Go ahead.
• Steve: (28:44)
• We looked at the Pentagon budget. You’re proposing a modest increase.
• Jen Psaki: (28:48)
• Mm-hmm (affirmative).
• Steve: (28:48)
• Is that enough to meet the priorities set out by the administration, since you’re facing an increasingly assertive China and Russia poses a threat to Ukraine?
• Jen Psaki: (28:58)
• You’re absolutely right, Steven. We’ve spoken, of course, about our concerns about exactly those issues. I will say that, first, that this is a proposal to give guidance to the Hill and hardworking budget staffers on the Hill, as they put together the 2022, excuse me, budgetary plans. The focus of the plus-up on defense is meant to address a couple of issues over that period of time, promoting diversity and inclusion in the armed forces, fulfilling our commitments to military families. Part of it goes to military and civilian pay increases, or that’s what is proposed, prioritizing defense investments in climate resilience and energy efficiency. We believe it provides a robust funding level for the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation’s security. It is grounded in the administration’s interim national security guidance. But again, there will be a full budget later this spring that will be proposed by this White House.
• Steve: (29:54)
• Secondly, China has been conducting military exercises around Taiwan. How do you interpret these moves? Are you concerned that they might invade Taiwan?
• Jen Psaki: (30:04)
• Well, first, let me say that we’re not looking, as you know, for confrontation with China. Our focus and our relationship is one based on steep competition. We have been clearly, publicly and privately, expressed our concerns, our growing concerns about China’s aggression towards Taiwan. China’s taken increasingly coercive action to undercut democracy in Taiwan. We’ve seen a concerning increase in PRC military activity in the Taiwan Strait, which we believe is potentially destabilizing. We are watching that closely. I can’t make any other predictions from here. Of course, the Department of Defense and others would be in the lead on making those assessments...     quoted from
• Steve: (30:46)
• Thank you.     

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, April 9, 2021

Apr. 10 - ... I’m convinced that this is the best chance in our lifetimes to make a generational investment in infrastructure, and that’s what the American Jobs Plan does. 

 
The need is clear.  It’s growing by the day.  After decades of underinvestment, we have fallen to 13th place globally in infrastructure.  Delays caused by traffic congestion alone cost over $160 billion per year, and motorists are forced to pay over $1,000 every year in wasted time and fuel. 
 
Americans are spending too much of their money on transportation in the wrong ways or don’t have access to it at all.  And the American people are making clear to all of us, regardless of party, that they want us to get it done and they are not asking us to tinker around the edges.
 
We’ve risen to this challenge before as a country.  In fact, building bold infrastructure has always been central to America’s story.  We built the Erie Canal, we connected east to west through the transcontinental railroad, and we developed the Interstate Highway System.  And each of those projects was audacious, was transformative, and — partly because it challenged the American people to expand our concept of infrastructure.  But in doing so, these projects have transformed our nation for the better, and they fueled the U.S. economy and way of life for the long run.  So now it’s our turn. 
 
The American Jobs Plan will again transform America’s roads and bridges, rail and transit, ports and airports for the better.  It’s going to help modernize our transportation infrastructure so we can compete in the 21st century and connect communities.  It will create millions of good jobs in communities across the country. 
 
I want to point out again that this is the biggest investment in American jobs since World War Two...     more
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Promoting infrastructure plan, Buttigieg says U.S. 'coasting' on choices made in the 1950s
​
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said during Sunday’s “Meet the Press” that the $2 trillion bill introduced by President Joe Biden represents a “a generational investment."

Date published on April 4th, 2021
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg rallied support for the Biden administration’s massive infrastructure plan in an interview on Sunday’s “Meet the Press,” arguing the bill represents “a generational investment” that can position the country for the future.

“Infrastructure is the foundation that makes it possible for Americans to thrive. And what we know is that foundation has been crumbling.” Buttigieg said.

“We’re still coasting on infrastructure choices that were made in the 1950," he said. "Now’s our chance to make infrastructure choices for the future that are going to serve us well in the 2030s and onto the middle of the century when we will be judged for whether we meet this moment here in the 2020s.”

President Joe Biden unveiled his $2 trillion infrastructure plan last week, a sweeping plan that includes $155 billion earmarked toward repairing roads and bridges; $80 million dedicated to Amtrak repairs; $40 billion for public housing improvements; $111 billion for repairing lead pipes; $42 billion for ports and airports; $100 billion for public school improvements; and $180 billion for research and development.

​The administration is also planning to announce a second plan related to the social safety net in the coming weeks.     continue to read

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APRIL 9, 2021
White House Daily Briefing
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki held a briefing with the White House press corps. At the start, Secretary Buttigieg delivered remarks and took questions on the administration’s infrastructure and jobs plan. Following his remarks, Press Secretary Psaki took questions focused mainly on the president’s fiscal year 2022 discretionary funding request and the establishment of a presidential commission on the Supreme Court. Other topics included U.S. policy toward China, Afghanistan operations, and coronavirus response efforts.

White House News (白宮消息) | Apr. 9 , 2021

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Arsonist US Plays With Fir

Apr. 9 - ...You would think riling up one nuclear power is bad enough, but the United States seems intent on doubling the risk of starting a world war by gratuitously aggressing Russia and China simultaneously.

Throwing around personal insults against the leaders of those two countries is one thing. But actually winding up military tensions is quite another which shows how reckless the Biden administration is.

Since Joe Biden became the 46th president, there has been an alarming increase in hostile rhetoric and conduct by the US toward Russia and China.

​Ludicrously, the Biden administration is accusing Moscow and Beijing of aggression towards European and Asian allies when it is the United States that is building up warships, warplanes, missiles and troops in sensitive regions that threaten Russia and China.     more

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APRIL 8, 2021
President Biden Delivers Remarks on Gun Violence Prevention
President Biden, Vice President Harris and Attorney General Garland delivered remarks on gun violence prevention from the White House. President Biden announced four actions being taken to prevent gun violence: regulating “ghost guns,” commissioning new reports assessing illegal firearms trafficking, regulating pistol modifications, and the Justice Department modeling “red flag” laws for states to adopt. The president called gun violence an “epidemic” and “an international embarrassment.” He also spoke about increases in homicides in cities and its disproportionate impact on minority communities. 

Joe Biden Announces Executive Actions on Gun Control
The president unveiled executive actions meant to strengthen background checks, limit “ghost guns,” and implement “red flag” laws

Apr. 8 - President Joe Biden announced a series of executive actions related to gun control on Thursday during a press conference held at the Rose Garden.
The orders he announced were a direct response to recent mass shootings in Georgia, Colorado and California.

"Gun violence in this country is an epidemic, and it's an international embarrassment," he said before unveiling his plan of instructions to the Department of Justice. "Every day in this country, 316 people are shot. Every single day. A hundred and six of them die every day."
Biden, 78, also announced his nomination of David Chipman, a gun control advocate, to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

​One of the president's executive actions includes limiting the proliferation of "ghost guns," which are homemade firearms made from kits or parts bought online that typically don't have traceable serial numbers. 

As part of the plan, he instructed the DOJ to make it required that all parts of manufactured guns have serial numbers and that distributors perform a background check and register the weapon in a client's name before an individual can purchase them.

Related Articles:
Victims, Suspect in Boulder Shooting Identified
Actor Ken Jeong Donates at Least $50,000 to Victims' Families in Atlanta Spa Shootings
​Boy, 9, Killed in Calif. Mass Shooting Was Found Dead in Mom's Arms: 'He Took the Bullets for Her'

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US President Joe Biden says he is open to compromise on corporate tax rates
'We gotta pay for this': Biden proposes corporate tax rises to pay for infrastructure projects

The US president says rivals such as China are "counting on American democracy to be too slow...to keep pace".

US President Joe Biden wants to raise taxes for companies to help pay for a massive spend on infrastructure.

Apr. 9 - The worst-hit sectors were likely to be technology and communications, with the worst-hit industries being consumer durables and apparel, and media and entertainment.

Mr Biden signalled there could be room for compromise in the corporate tax rate, saying: "We'll be open to good ideas in good faith negotiations.

"But here's what we won't be open to: We will not be open to doing nothing. Inaction, simply, is not an option.

"You think China is waiting around to invest in this digital infrastructure or on research and development? I promise you, they are not waiting. They're counting on American democracy to be too slow, too limited and too divided to keep pace."

He challenged the idea that low taxes would do more for growth than investing in care workers, roads, bridges, clean water, broadband, school buildings and the power grid.

He said he was willing to "listen" to proposals to keep the tax rate below 28% as long as projects are financed and taxes were not increased on those earning less than $400,000.

He added: "But we gotta pay for this. We gotta pay for this.

"There are many other ways we can do it. But I am willing to negotiate.

"I've come forward with the best, most rational way, in my view the fairest way, to pay for it, but there are many other ways as well. And I'm open."     quoted from

The Great U.S.-China Tech War

The United States and China are locked in a “cold tech war,” and the winner will end up dominating the twenty-first century.

Beijing was not considered a tech contender a decade ago. Now, some call it a leader. America is already behind in critical areas.

It is no surprise how Chinese leaders made their regime a tech powerhouse. They first developed and then implemented multiyear plans and projects, adopting a determined, methodical, and disciplined approach. As a result, China’s political leaders and their army of technocrats could soon possess the technologies of tomorrow.

America can still catch up. Unfortunately, Americans, focused on other matters, are not meeting the challenges China presents. A whole-of-society mobilization will be necessary for the U.S. to regain what it once had: control of cutting-edge technologies. This is how America got to the moon, and this is the key to winning this century.

Americans may not like the fact that they’re once again in a Cold War–type struggle, but they will either adjust to that reality or get left behind     source from

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White House News (白宮消息) | Apr. 8 , 2021

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APRIL 7, 2021
President Biden Delivers Remarks on the American Jobs Plan
President Biden delivered remarks on the American Jobs Plan. The president outlined his vision of infrastructure going beyond roads and bridges. He spoke from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building about creating infrastructure to withstand climate change, improving Veteran Affairs hospitals, construction of high-speed rail, replacing aging water pipes, investing in non-defense research, and bringing high-speed internet to rural America. He talked about paying for the package by increasing the corporate tax rate to 28 percent and doubling the global minimum tax rate to 21 percent, adding he is open to negotiations, but legislation must be paid for. President Biden spoke about the serious need for this investment and warned the U.S. must unite behind this because China and other authoritarian governments were betting against democracy. 

Remarks by President Biden on the American Jobs Plan

​Apr. 7 - ​THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everyone.  Last weekend, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I announced my plan to rebuild what I refer to as the “backbone of America” through the American Jobs Plan. 

It’s not a plan that tinkers around the edges; it’s a once-in-a-generation investment in America unlike anything we’ve done since we built the Interstate Highway System and won the Space Race decades ago.

It’s the single largest investment in American jobs since World War Two, and it’s a plan that puts millions of Americans to work to fix what’s broken in our country: tens of thousands of miles of roads and highways, thousands of bridges in desperate need of repair.

But it also is a blueprint for infrastructure needed for tomorrow — not just yesterday; tomorrow — for American jobs, for American competitiveness.

Last week, I said that once Congress is back from recess, I’d get to work right away because we have no time to lose.  So here we are. 

Democrats, Republicans will have ideas about what they like and what they don’t like about our plan.  That’s — that’s a good thing.  That’s the American way.  That’s the way democracy works.  Debate is welcome.  Compromise is inevitable.  Changes are certain. 

In the next few weeks, the Vice President and I will be meeting with Republicans and Democrats to hear from everyone.  And we’ll be listening.  We’ll be open to good ideas and good-faith negotiations. 

​But here’s what we won’t be open to: We will not be open to doing nothing.  Inaction simply is not an option.      continue to read

APRIL 7, 2021
White House Daily Briefing
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki held her daily briefing, covering a range of topics from the administration’s infrastructure plan to its pandemic response. At the beginning of the briefing, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo spoke about President Biden’s infrastructure and jobs plan and how it would be paid for. When asked about the proposed 28 percent corporate tax rate, the secretary said “there is room for compromise” and called on business leaders to “come to the table and problem-solve with us to come up with a reasonable, responsible plan.” In response to questions about a potential boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Ms. Psaki said, “Our position on the 2022 Olympics has not changed. We have not discussed and are not discussing any joint boycott with allies and partners.”

The next few weeks 'are going to be critical,' Fauci warns

Apr. 7 - ​Dr. Anthony Fauci says the country is back in a precarious situation, with daily COVID-19 case averages increasing in the past few weeks — signaling a potential surge that could mimic what is happening in Europe. 

Throughout the pandemic, the U.S. has regularly lagged a few weeks behind Europe and could continue to follow suit, Fauci told Yahoo Finance. Getting Americans vaccinated is key in preventing another surge, he said.

"I believe that the vaccine will actually have a major impact on preventing us from having a classical surge that we've seen before, but we can't be overconfident, which is one of the reasons why we keep saying over and over again, let's not declare victory prematurely," Fauci said.

The chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) said he hopes that vaccines hold any major surge at bay.

"It really is kind of a race between the implementation of the vaccines and the danger, or not, of there being a bonafide surge. Hopefully, the protection that's afforded to the community, by the vaccinations will blunt any surge that is reminiscent of the previous surges that we've had," he said.

"If the country manages to reduce daily cases and get a majority of people vaccinated, "there will come a time, reasonably soon ... that you're going to see a greater diminution in the number of cases and a greater freedom and flexibility of what people can do," Fauci said.

But the threat of vaccine hesitancy and aggressive re-openings spurred by COVID fatigue loom large, and could elongate the time that the U.S. recovers from the pandemic.     more

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USS John McCain
US destroyer transits through Taiwan Strait for 4th time under Biden

USS John McCain passed through strait on same day that 15 Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan’s ADIZ

Apr. 8 - ​TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A U.S. Navy destroyer conducted a “routine” transit of the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday (April 7), marking the fourth such passage so far under the Biden administration.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John McCain carried out “a routine Taiwan Strait transit April 7 (local time) through international waters in accordance with international law,” according to a U.S. 7th Fleet press release.

The statement went on to say, “The ship’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military will continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows.”

​The John McCain’s passage came on the same day that China sent 15 military planes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). Beijing sent eight J-10 fighter jets, four J-16 fighters, and two KJ-500 airborne early warning and control planes into the southwest corner of the ADIZ, while a Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane flew into the southwest and southeast corners of the zone, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense.

​The U.S. Navy under Biden had conducted three previous passages through the Taiwan Strait: the John McCain on Feb. 4, the USS Curtis Wilbur on Feb. 24, and the USS John Finn on March 10.     source from

White House News (白宮消息) | Apr. 7 , 2021

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Apr. 7 - ​As Joe Biden approaches the 100-day mark, his presidency has been full of surprises. A $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan replete with life-changing provisions, including a monthly child tax credit, renovations to long-neglected school buildings, help for small businesses and extended unemployment insurance, is on the law books.

And Biden is just getting started. A $2.5 trillion, eight-year American Jobs Plan to repair roads, bridges, rail and water lines; enhance solar and wind development; create highway electrical charging stations; provide high-speed broadband; help manufacturing; promote elderly home care; and develop agricultural plans to capture carbon from the atmosphere is up next. These plans have broad public support. According to a March poll, 75 percent of voters approve of the American Rescue Plan, including 59 percent of Republicans. And 54 percent support infrastructure improvements, even if it means tax increases on those earning more than $400,000 per year. This gives Biden significant political capital, something George W. Bush claimed to have after his 2004 reelection but could never manage to deposit.

In 2020, Biden promised to restore “the soul of America,” a slogan that drew upon Franklin D. Roosevelt’s description of the presidency as a place of “moral leadership.” Biden’s call for restoring traditional values and norms appealed to an exhausted nation, much in the same way that Warren G. Harding won support from a weary nation following World War I. Campaigning in 1920, Harding declared: “America’s present need is not heroics, but healing; not nostrums, but normalcy; not revolution, but restoration; not agitation, but adjustment; not surgery, but serenity; not the dramatic, but the dispassionate; not experiment, but equipoise.”     continue to read

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APRIL 6, 2021
White House Daily Briefing
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki held a briefing on the Biden administration’s agenda. The press secretary made clear the federal government would not impose vaccine passports and said it was a private sector issue. She also said the president believes there is a bipartisan path forward on passing his proposed infrastructure plan but did not rule out reconciliation. The Senate parliamentarian had recently ruled that Democrats could use reconciliation to pass an infrastructure package, allowing them to bypass the filibuster. 

..."Is the White House concerned that Major League Baseball is moving their All-Star Game to Colorado where voting regulations are very similar to Georgia?” Doocy asked, a question predicated on bullshit. To which Psaki responded, rhetorically stuffing the Fox News correspondent in a locker: “Well, let me just refute the first point you made. First let me say on Colorado, Colorado allows you to you register on Election Day. Colorado has voting by mail where they send to 100% of people in the state who are eligible, applications to vote by mail; 94% of people in Colorado voted by mail in the 2020 election. They also allow for a range of materials to provide, even if they vote on Election Day, for the limited number of people who vote on Election Day. I think it’s important to remember the context here: The Georgia legislation is built on a lie. There was no widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Georgia’s top Republican election officials have acknowledged that repeatedly in interviews. What there was, however, was record-setting turnout, especially by voters of color. Instead what we’re seeing here for politicians who didn’t like the outcome is they’re not changing their policies to win more votes, they’re changing the rules to exclude more voters, and we certainly see the circumstances as different. Ultimately, though, it’s up to Major League Baseball to determine where they’re holding their All-Star Game.”

Doocy, of course, isn’t the only Republican trying desperately to change the story from “Georgia wants to disenfranchise Black and brown voters and even corporate America is disgusted” to “corporate America should mind its own damn business.” On Monday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned that corporations should shut their traps or will suffer “consequences” for speaking out. Meanwhile, Senator Tim Scott has also adopted the (false) talking point that Colorado is just as bad as Georgia when it comes to voter laws...     quoted from

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ANALYSIS - US-China rivalry: Is a new cold war really emerging?
​
Apr. 7, ISTANBUL - US President Joe Biden’s biggest promise on foreign policy during the campaign trail was to revive the liberal international order. Biden has so far taken a few steps in this direction. He has brought the US back into the Paris Agreement. He has restored his country’s membership in the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Human Rights Council. On the other hand, he has made some important moves toward establishing closer relations with Asian and European allies. This resurgence of institutionalism, however, is not limited to the fulfillment of US commitments to Asian and European allies that were broken during Trump’s presidency, nor to the country’s reconnection with international institutions. It also includes integrating powers capable of competing with the US, and especially China, into the liberal institutional order. This would obviously be a strategic move and would not mark the end of the US-China rivalry. The US needs to cut China in on the rewards of the liberal international order, and China, in exchange, must accept US leadership and obey the norms and rules that constitute this order. The US, understandably, wants to wage its (now inevitable) hegemonic struggle with China on its own terms. The US reckons that it could thus fend off China’s rise before it becomes an open challenge or without triggering a cold/hot conflict, or at the very least that it could avoid a sharp and rapid downfall by protracting its relative decline against China. And, most fundamentally, the US is expected to maintain its leadership status in international politics for a little while longer.     more

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