The Struggle for Supremacy: Can Trump Halt China’s Global Ascent?

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Title: The Struggle for Supremacy: Can Trump Halt China’s Global Ascent?

 

As tensions escalate between the United States and China, it has become increasingly clear that the Trump administration is facing an uphill battle to prevent Beijing from eclipsing America as the dominant global power. From economics to military strength and diplomatic influence, China is mounting a formidable challenge on every front. The past week has only underscored the scale and urgency of this confrontation, leaving many to wonder whether Trump's aggressive approach can truly reverse the tide.

 

 

President Trump’s administration has zeroed in on America’s trade deficit with China, which topped $295 billion last year, as a symbol of declining U.S. dominance. However, efforts to address this imbalance have exposed the complexity of the broader geopolitical struggle. There was once a belief that China's internal economic pressures would restrain its hand in a full-blown trade war. That assumption has been decisively shattered.

 

 

On Wednesday, the White House paused most of its tariffs for 90 days but simultaneously hiked duties on Chinese imports to 145 percent. China responded with its own 125 percent tariff on U.S. goods. The Chinese commerce ministry declared, “The blackmailing nature of the US… China will never accept this… China will fight to the end.” Despite the massive scale of exports to the U.S., those sales account for just 2 percent of China's GDP, giving Beijing room to maneuver.

 

 

The economic front is only one battlefield. The U.S. debt market faced its worst day in four decades as investors from Japan and Europe offloaded American bonds. Though China wasn’t behind the sell-off, the event was a stark reminder of its leverage. With over $750 billion in U.S. Treasury bonds, China holds 2.6 percent of America’s staggering $36 trillion federal debt. George Saravelos of Deutsche Bank warned, “The next phase risks being an outright financial war involving Chinese ownership of US assets both on the official and private sector front… the loser will be the global economy.”

 

 

Military developments are equally unsettling. Chinese naval exercises near Taiwan have become increasingly routine, suggesting the capacity for a swift blockade. Rear Admiral Mike Studeman, former head of the Pentagon’s office of naval intelligence, remarked, “The Chinese very well could prevail in any number of different contingencies” against the U.S. Navy. He noted, “They’re every bit a peer,” and criticized America's failure to recognize China’s systematic transformation of potential into power.

 

 

Shipbuilding illustrates the disparity. In 2024, Chinese shipyards launched over 250 vessels, dwarfing the five produced in the U.S. That single year’s output from China surpassed the total American shipbuilding since 1945. China now fields more major warships and submarines than the U.S., having added 29 new vessels over the past decade. “May be the next step for China,” said Nick Childs of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, referring to a potential buildup of Chinese submarines. He added that collaboration with Russia could help China develop quieter, more advanced subs. “That’s a big concern.”

 

 

Despite U.S. efforts, such as new partnerships with South Korean shipbuilders and executive orders aimed at revitalizing domestic production, real gains remain distant. Simultaneously, tariffs have strained ties with key Pacific allies like Japan and South Korea, leaving Washington vulnerable to diplomatic losses. “I think we’re blowing whatever advantages we had,” said Studeman, stressing the need for strategic unity.

 

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned European leaders that Chinese goods taxed out of American markets would soon target Europe: “Guess where they’re going to land? On European shores.” Yet, the EU’s response has been cautious. Though it recently raised tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, it has resisted broader Trump-style measures and is now preparing for talks in Beijing to soften the blow of U.S. actions.

 

While Trump officials insist their plan is on course, the situation remains fraught. New trade barriers threaten global commerce, and America's long-standing supremacy is under siege. The reality is that despite years of efforts by both Trump and Biden administrations, America's grip is loosening as China's momentum accelerates. Even if Beijing chooses to compromise on trade, the broader shift in power seems inevitable. The cost of stalling China’s rise may be global economic disruption — and the results, if they come, will take years to materialize.

 

Based on a report by The Times  2025-04-16

 

 

[JimHuaHin]

In short, no.

 

The USA has been restricting China's rise with the help of friends and allies; but now that Trump has declared war on the USA's friends and allies ....

[sscc]

Biden 4-year weaponizes USD and SWIFT against Russia,   and failed.  Russia is standing OK. 

Trump 100-Day so far weaponizes Tariff against China and the rest,  and still on-going. 

Trump intent at the beginning was using tariff to gain against every countries,  so he put down 20% tariff on EU,  20+% on Japan, India,  S Korea -- unexpected for these dozens countries.

Eventually he ran into trouble,  changed course to  USA Vs China trade war.  

 

Undeniably that Trump and various "Yes men" under him had badly managed the tariff issue in the past two weeks. 

[Yagoda]

Typical China propaganda piece.

 

But Im not clear: How many nuclear attack subs does China have? How many boomers?

 

Where is the discusssion of the unemployment issue?

 

Are the figures mentioned therein from Chinese sources?