Abstract
A closer examination of the history of U.S. strategy toward China reveals a pattern of change and fluctuation. This variability is closely linked to a series of significant events. The most impactful event influencing U.S.-China relations has been COVID-19, as an unprecedented crisis. The research problem lies in the differing perspectives regarding the extent to which the United States may seek to exploit COVID-19. Thus, the main question is: How did COVID-19 impact the U.S. approach toward China?. Therefore, the hypothesis is that the coronavirus pandemic serves as a strategic loophole that the USA is attempting to leverage to curb China's rise in the twenty-first century. It may represent a gradual threat to U.S. hegemony. In conclusion, if China's rise intensifies in pursuit of global expansion, challenging unilateral dominance, the United States will likely increase its strategic activities aimed at countering China. Finally, both countries are on a trajectory of managed escalation.
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