earticle

영어

The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States in 2025 has cast a shadow over Sino-US relations, intensifying their strategic competition. During his first term, Trump pursued aggressive policies, such as labeling China a “currency manipulator,” imposing high tariffs, and challenging the One-China principle. His administration’s National Security Strategy redefined China as a “strategic competitor,” laying the foundation for heightened economic, political, and military confrontations. Upon returning to the White House, Trump further escalated trade tensions by progressively raising tariffs on Chinese goods, prompting reciprocal measures from China. At the same time, his administration’s Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance identified China as the “only looming threat,” signaling a hardened stance. This paper examines the trajectory of Sino-US tensions during Trump’s second term, analyzing the underlying causes of their contradictions. It also explores potential countermeasures China could adopt to safeguard its national interests amid an increasingly adversarial US strategy.