Provoking adversaries, estranging allies, and undermining one’s own defensive capabilities is hardly a prudent strategy for national security. Yet, this appears to be the approach taken by President Trump during the first 100 days of his second term. This is most evident in the escalating confrontation with China, a rivalry he has long anticipated. Instead of fortifying alliances, preparing contingency plans, and strengthening his leadership team, the president has repeatedly acted contrary to conventional wisdom. Even an experienced street fighter knows better than to engage an opponent and then turn away—but that is exactly what has happened. Despite pledges to "make America safe again," the administration is dismantling key defense structures at a moment when they are most vital.
The Department of Defense is reportedly experiencing disarray under leadership that includes a former weekend Fox News host, while aides describe "total chaos at the Pentagon." Key appointments include a Navy secretary with no military background and a director of National Intelligence known for echoing authoritarian rhetoric. The national security adviser has reportedly shared sensitive information about U.S. airstrikes through unsecured commercial messaging platforms with unidentified recipients. Recently, the military’s respected cyberwar chief was dismissed after pressure from conspiracy theorists, and plans to slash the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s budget by 40 percent have been leaked. The State Department, particularly its bureau countering authoritarian abuses, faces significant cuts. Simultaneously, the administration has taken actions that have deeply angered NATO, the United States’ principal military alliance.
This strategy is especially hazardous as tensions escalate with Xi Jinping’s China. Although the dispute is officially framed as a tariff disagreement, Beijing views international trade as a tool of statecraft beyond mere economics. Historically, China has launched hacking campaigns against Western companies to advance its manufacturing capabilities, undermined a South Korean conglomerate to deter the adoption of U.S. missile defenses, and reportedly harvested data from popular shopping platforms to fuel state propaganda efforts. Chinese hackers have also infiltrated U.S. telecommunications infrastructure. These activities preceded the imposition of steep tariffs on Chinese goods. Experts note that China employs a combination of diplomatic pressure, economic leverage, cyberattacks, legal warfare, and in some cases military threats to achieve strategic objectives, raising questions about how far Beijing might go in this conflict.
A former deputy national security adviser during the first Trump term recently observed that while President Trump centers on a trade war, Xi Jinping pursues a broader campaign for global dominance.
China’s relentless pursuit of retribution extends beyond economic and cyber domains. Dissidents who fled to the United States following the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown remain targets decades later. Beijing has established covert police stations in cities worldwide—from Sydney to New York City—and employed former local law enforcement officers to monitor and intimidate perceived enemies abroad.
