Did Cold War II break out last week while no one was watching? As the Kavanaugh confirmation battle raged, many Americans missed what looks like the biggest shift in U.S.-China relations since Henry Kissinger鈥檚 1971 visit to Beijing.
The Trump administration鈥檚 China policy swam into view, and it鈥檚 a humdinger. Vice President Mike Pence gave a guide to the approach in a speech last week at the 华体会 (where I am a fellow). Denouncing what he called China鈥檚 鈥渨hole of government鈥� approach to its rivalry with the U.S., Mr. Pence vowed the Trump administration will respond in kind. He denounced China鈥檚 suppression of the Tibetans and Uighurs, its 鈥淢ade in China 2025鈥� plan for tech dominance, and its 鈥渄ebt diplomacy鈥� through the Belt and Road initiative. The speech sounded like something Ronald Reagan could have delivered against the Soviet Union: Mr. Xi, tear down this wall! Mr. Pence also detailed an integrated, cross-government strategy to counter what the administration considers Chinese military, economic, political and ideological aggression.
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