COLUMNS

COVID-19 Heats up the U.S.-China Competition

undefined and Director, Stratfor Center for Applied Geopolitics at RANE
Rodger Baker
Director, Stratfor Center for Applied Geopolitics at RANE, Stratfor

May 21, 2020 | 11:00 GMT

(LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Highlights

  • COVID-19 has heightened international attention on China's security and economic strategies, altering the calculus of countries that once preferred balancing engagement between China and other relationships.
  • U.S.-China strategic competition will especially intensify in the rimlands, which China sees as an outlet to the sea, areas of economic connectivity and the buffer space to counter any U.S. attempt at containment. 
  • While the extreme fragmentation of the globe into two Cold War-type blocs is unlikely, the ability of countries to profess neutrality will wane.

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified awareness of U.S.-China strategic competition, and refocused international attention on the expression of Chinese power. In a reinvigorated battle for the rimlands, it will be increasingly difficult for countries to maintain a "neutral" balance between the two powers....

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