What is China's issue with the US?

Relations worsened during the 2010s over concerns including China's militarization of the South China Sea and Chinese espionage in the United States, leading observers to speculate a Second Cold War between the two powers. In 2018, President Donald Trump launched a trade war with China.

China's trade resilience throughout the year – despite seeing a 19.5% drop in annual exports to the US, its long time largest single export market – defied expectations and allowed Beijing to show that it can survive even with reduced access to the world's richest consumers.

tallowood wrote Yesterday at 10:30am:

All checking each company has enough slave labour at the factories to keep their unit prices down, I'd bet!

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff made clear that deterring China remains a key priority for the United States.

Kaine stated at a congressional hearing that the Pentagon wants to have "a broad range and mix of capabilities that create enormous dilemmas for Xi Jinping and others to ensure that deterrence is maintained and preserved."

Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole stated that "China is modernizing its military at an alarming rate and scale."
Congressman Rogers, questioning Kaine, said he appreciated the administration's commitment to allocating more funds to bolster American arms production, but warned that "we are competing with the speed" at which China is building up its military.

Kaine's statement came just hours before Trump left for a summit with Xi Jinping.

Trump's holding all the cards, playing old maid.

China's holding no cards, while playing robotic Go.

It will be interesting to watch Lame Duck Trump squirm.