When you think about most powerful nations in the world, a few of them probably come to your mind. Back in the 20th century these countries were the US and Soviet Union. Their competition over better military and space exploration achievements led to a conflict known as the Cold War, which lasted for several decades. Nowadays, in order to define which nation is the most powerful, we look at tech and modern solutions. Two biggest competitors in that field are again the US, but their biggest rival is no longer Russia yet China. Can this cyber competition lead to an open conflict ?
Economies of both of these countries rely heavily on technology sector, with around 10% of GDP. Most of well known companies associated to technology come from either of these nations e.g. Apple, Google, Huawei, Tencent. Unfortunately aspects of modern solutions are not only used for providing complete devices and services for the customers, but also for invigilation and stealing intellectual property. First let’s discuss the rivalry for leadership in new technologies. So called Tech war, occurred as a result of trade war. Trade war started during Trump administration, famous slogan “Make America great again” was supposed to strengthen US industry, and job market. In order to reduce Chinese influence in the market, The White House released many embargos. The conflict quickly evolved into competition over better technologies mostly 5G, AI, and semiconductors.
Naturally when it comes to control over technology, the hardware and software are not only the most important values. A huge role is also PR of the nation. In that field the US wins anytime, there had been many scandals where China has been accused of surveillance towards customers. As a result of that Huawei was banned from using some of Google services, such as Google maps or play store. Moreover american telecom networks offer no more services manufactured by Huawei and ZTE.
The conflict also include incidents such as stealing confidential data. The White House accuses Chinese government of stealing intellectual property worth approximately 600 billion dollars every year. That led to a severe decrease in US student visa for Chinese, at almost 90% less applications approved.
But can this modern cold war evolve into a more grave conflict ? Personally, I don’t think so, as both nations need each other. China is an important market in producing necessary components, and US is still the world leader in technology.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-59262329
https://merics.org/en/short-analysis/winning-tech-war-chinese-characteristics
https://thediplomat.com/2020/11/how-chinas-legal-system-enables-intellectual-property-theft/
https://www.scmp.com/knowledge/topics/us-china-tech-war-rivalry/news
I would also add that USA is the most important market for China, because of so many companies and industries that are located in that country. This war has also caused a slowdown in the production of many products, especially cars.
We also have to remember that besides economic war those to countries
fight for whose vision of the world is better, the idea of freedom and democracy represented by the US or authoritarian power by China. Second Cold war already started only this time USA fights another opponent
Personally, I don’t agree with your statement. In my opinion, USA is very dependent on China and in other way. Because of China, USA companies can increase their profit margins by producing their goods cheaply, in China. Most known brands across the world such as Apple, Nike etc, they all are located and established in US, meanwhile producing their goods in China, because of low costs of production. If USA would have to be totally independent from China, new iphone 14 would not cost 500$ to produce, but most likely as much as it retail of 999$, in order to cover all materials and labour. Also, when it comes to Asia as overall, Japan for example, dominates in automotive market of US. Beside American Ford, RAM and Chevrolet, top 2 other brands are Toyota and Honda. When it comes to a tech war, there is a theory about Chinese TikTok being a weapon, in order to weaken the American youth. I agree with it, as some specialists say, that TikTok, and overall – high visual platfroms, may cause an increase in depression and anxiety. TikTok, as a Chinese platform is dominating on US market, meanwhile harming a lot of children, as well as tracking everything they do (you give them access to your camera and microphone, location and data of other apps on your phone)