US-China trade war could spark military confrontation in Asia

Some foreign policy experts believe that Washington and Beijing are likely to end their tariff war soon as the two economies are interconnected, but many experts predict that the trade war, which has strained US-China political relations, will also impact security in Asia.

The world's two superpowers could engage in a Cold War-style rivalry, or in the worst-case scenario, a military conflict could be inevitable in the South China Sea, as Washington has been alarmed by Beijing's growing regional influence.

The Trump administration considers Beijing a “strategic competitor.” Photo: AP

An expert from the Center for American Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai (China) believes that the trade war will be less likely to become “serious”, because “both sides are deceiving each other, and will eventually find a way out of this suicidal trade war”.

However, some other analysts believe that the disagreement between Washington and Beijing will last, because the Trump administration, which considers Beijing a "strategic competitor", wants to confront China on a number of issues.

Alison Szalwinski, director of political and security affairs at the National Bureau of Asian Research in Washington, said: “US-China relations are facing many tensions, and a trade war will exacerbate these issues and worsen bilateral relations overall.”

Ann Lee, assistant professor of economics and finance at New York University (USA), pointed out that the US-China trade war will lead to a military confrontation in Asia.

US-China relations are facing many tense issues. Photo: Getty

According to this expert, the US is "challenging China's hegemonic ambitions" in the Asia-Pacific region, and at the same time, Washington "has publicly stated its intention to initiate a military conflict with China".

However, expert Szalwinski ruled out the possibility that the US would start a war with China in the East Sea, because according to her, at the present time, Washington does not prioritize the East Sea issue.

This expert commented: "In addition to continuing to conduct regular freedom of navigation operations and coordinating with regional partners, the US will continue to place greater priority on other security and trade issues."

Sharing the same view, Professor John Gong, an economist at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing (China), said that there will be no military conflict between the US and China. He said: “That is because the US side understands that it will not win, and once a military confrontation breaks out, it will become ‘difficult to control’.”