Prior to President Trump’s first administration, presidents prioritized fostering a constructive relationship between the U.S. and China through engagement, recognizing the importance of aligning mutual interests to maintain stability and avoid conflict.

This strategy of engagement reached its zenith during the George W. Bush administration. Delegations regularly traveled between Washington and Beijing, with high-level dialogues occurring almost monthly. Of course, engagement was not limited to diplomacy; it extended across multiple levels of government. Agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Federal Aviation Administration and Internal Revenue Service engaged directly with their Chinese counterparts, exchanging expertise and fostering cooperation.

Upon taking office in 2017, Trump changed the connection with China from engagement to confrontation. He greeted China........

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