A new Cold War

Question 1

What was the Cold war?

Answer 1

• Period of geopolitical tension between US and Soviet Union and respective allies.
• Began during WW2
• No large scale fighting - psychological warfare, propaganda, sport events rivalry.

Question 2

Arguments to say there will NOT be a new cold war

Answer 2

2021 - Biden said the US does not seek a cold war with China.

“The US is ready to work with any nation that steps up and pursues peaceful resolution to share challenges even if we have intense disagreement in other areas.”

Question 3

Arguments why a cold war is likely

Answer 3

• Uncertainty due to US presidency changing every 4 years.
• Populism in US politics
• Bipartisan consensus that China imposes a significant threat to US.

Question 4

US-China trade war under Trump - key dates

Answer 4

2018 -US imposed tariff on all steel imports, excluding a handful of countries.

July 6 2018 - US implements first China-specific tariffs

2020 - Hong Kong’s exports to be labelled ‘Made in China’

Question 5

Thucydides’ trap =

Answer 5

Thucydides’ trap = an apparent tendency towards war when an emerging power threatens to displace an existing great power as a regional/international hegemon. - Graham T. Allison.

Question 6

ITIF =

Answer 6

ITIF = Information technology and Innovation Foundation

Question 7

Samuel P. Huntington

Answer 7

• Argues future wars would be fought between cultures, not countries.
• Predicts major shift of economic, military and political power from west to other civilisations eg, Sinic and Islam.
• Regional powers eg, Korea will support China, posing a long-term threat to the West as Chinese cultural assertion clashes with American desire for the lack of regional hegemony in East Asia.

Question 8

4 roots of the US-China conflict.

Answer 8

1. Money
2. Power
3. Systemic differences
4. Expectations