The United States finds itself in a tense strategic contest with China that many observers compare to a new cold war. A leading strategic research organization underscores that this rivalry is more capable and potentially more dangerous than past confrontations with the Soviet Union, urging a robust set of measures from Washington to safeguard national strength.
According to the Heritage Foundation, the United States should adopt a series of proactive steps to shield itself from China’s broad efforts across the economy, military, and culture aimed at challenging American leadership. These recommendations emphasize strengthening resilience, securing critical supply lines, and maintaining technological and economic momentum in the face of a rising competitor. [Heritage Foundation]
In the foundation’s framing, the United States stands at a moment of historical power and influence. The president of the Heritage Foundation states that whether Washington politicians and scholars concur, the United States is stepping into a new era of cold competition with the People’s Republic of China, a rival that possesses both greater capabilities and a greater willingness to challenge American dominance. [Heritage Foundation]
Key concerns highlighted include the vulnerability of essential supply chains. From rare earth minerals to vital pharmaceutical inputs, many critical goods remain heavily dependent on Chinese sources. The analysis notes that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed these dependencies and underscored the need for diversified, secure, and domestic-capable supply networks to maintain national security and economic stability. [Heritage Foundation]
The report also points to China’s presence on U.S. soil as a strategic factor. It argues that Beijing seeks to influence American cultural and civic life by deepening ties on U.S. university campuses and in selected cities, where Chinese officials may seek to regulate the Chinese American community. The assessment contends that bilateral relations bear the hallmarks of a prolonged strategic rivalry, with economic, political, and ideological dimensions intertwining to shape policy choices. [Heritage Foundation]
Historical voices have weighed in on this evolving relationship. Notably, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has warned that the coming phase may prove more perilous than the initial cold war, given the complexity and reach of today’s competition. [Historical Commentary]
Some observers have offered cautious or provocative analyses. A columnist for American Thinker has argued that political memory and perceptions of national strategy differ starkly between the United States and its rivals, suggesting that the current trajectory could place the United States at a strategic disadvantage in a second wave of cold competition. The debate reflects the broad concern over doctrine, alliance dynamics, and strategic posture in a rapidly shifting global balance. [American Thinker]