In the evolving landscape of global politics, the relationship between the United States and China is undergoing a significant transformation. The article, authored by Fyodor Lukyanov, describes this shift as a move away from the liberal, universal order that dominated the late 20th and early 21st centuries. This era, marked by economic interdependence and shared rule-sets, is being replaced by a new order driven by civilizational identities and national interests.
The United States, under President Donald Trump’s leadership, has adopted a more assertive stance, emphasizing strength and direct engagement. This approach has unsettled traditional norms, prompting other civilizations to assert their own visions and values. Meanwhile, China, while facing a strategic challenge from the US, maintains a more measured approach, focusing on long-term gains and controlled evolution.
The interplay between these two powers is reshaping international relations, setting the stage for a more complex and fragmented global order. As tensions between the US and China intensify, the global balance of power is shifting, with implications for international trade, technology, and geopolitics. This transition represents a fundamental reorientation in how nations engage with one another, marking the end of a more unified global community and the emergence of a multipolar world where civilizational identities play a central role in defining international relations.