The United States’ incomprehension of China is expressed in JD Vance’s remarks on globalization: “The idea of ​​globalization was that rich countries would move higher up the value chain, while poor countries would make things simpler.”
China has benefited from enormous technology transfers, particularly from the US, which had a great interest in them given the rapid development of the Middle Kingdom. It has also invested significantly in research, training, and networking its territory with a technology-oriented environment.
Trump, during his first term, was overtaken by Chinese telecommunications companies, thereby excluding them from the US market.

What’s wrong with technology?
Americans have long since developed the technological standard, the one that generally serves as a benchmark. Investments, patents sold, and royalties have brought them a comfortable income.
China, with its army of engineers and its political will, has become a true rival. From a manufacturer of mediocre goods, the Middle Kingdom now produces products that are world-class.
The United States sees it as a competitor that could end up dethroning it by defining the technology standard and grabbing part of the revenue.
Washington’s aim is to coerce Beijing to keep China in line. The battle is there, but it is complex because the tenant of Zhongnanhai has political power that extends throughout the world beyond its economic might. Beijing thus has considerable negotiating power in the standoff with Washington.

Why the climate?
The White House has signed the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and dismantled institutions working on climate change, including NASA and NOAA. Climate change is clearly no longer a top priority.
Yet, the issue of climate change remains the major challenge of the moment. After an average global temperature of 1.6°C above the pre-industrial average in 2024, there is no sign of a reversal of the trend. Hydrocarbon consumption is breaking record after record. It will be warmer in 2030, and climate events will be even more significant.
In the United States, the climate issue is no longer a priority. As a result, research and allocated resources will be more limited than they were. In contrast, China continues to be concerned about it and is providing itself with the means to address it.
Therefore, tomorrow, when the whole world demands technological means to save itself, it is towards China that we will all turn.
Its current blindness has caused the United States to lose focus on its very priorities. China is giving itself time, but on the issues of climate and technology, it could win the battle.