This week, tensions are escalating not only on American college campuses but also in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippines has accused China's coast guard of harassing and damaging one of its vessels, adding strain to the already precarious relationship between the two countries.
The current American approach to China is one of cautious toughness, as the U.S. deals with a range of issues from tariffs to Taiwan. The recent incident in the South China Sea adds pressure to this relationship. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent face-to-face talks in China covered trade, fentanyl, and Chinese support for Ukraine, highlighting the complex nature of U.S.-China relations.
While competition with China is not new, what is new is the internal competition within the U.S. as various states and cities develop their own foreign policy approaches towards China, often conflicting with each other.
For example, California, with its significant Asian immigrant population, sees China as an ally. San Francisco Mayor London Breed's recent visit to China, where she engaged in "panda diplomacy," securing an agreement to borrow pandas, exemplifies this approach.
In contrast, Florida has taken a more stringent stance. Governor Ron DeSantis has enacted laws to restrict Chinese companies from doing business in the state and buying agricultural land, going beyond federal bans. Similarly, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has placed restrictions on Ford Motor Company's ventures due to its Chinese partner.
These state-level actions extend beyond citizen engagement, often conflicting with federal foreign policy. This is evident in drone policy, where states use drones from a Chinese company that federal departments view as a national security threat.
However, there are constitutional limits to states' involvement in foreign affairs, with the federal government having primary power in this area. Despite this, the U.S. has historically encouraged state and local engagement in foreign affairs, recognizing their potential impact.
President Biden has acknowledged the role cities and states can play in global issues, creating an office of subnational diplomacy within the State Department. However, the deep partisan divide and polarization within Congress have strained relationships between the federal government and states, leading to conflicts on issues like TikTok bans.
It's crucial for the U.S. to present a united front on issues like China and climate change to maintain its national power and prevent other countries from exploiting its internal divisions.