Josh Rogin Explains Why China Remains America’s Defining Strategic Challenge
JUDJ-Prepared Summary from June 10, 2026 | American Power at the Crossroads: Confronting China and a Fragmenting World. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the speaker.
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, Washington Post global affairs columnist and China expert Josh Rogin joined veteran public radio host Larry Mantle to examine the forces shaping international affairs. Although the conversation touched on conflicts in the Middle East, trade, and global alliances, Rogin repeatedly returned to one overarching conclusion: the relationship between the United States and China will define global politics for decades to come.
The World's Most Important Bilateral Relationship
Rogin described the U.S.-China relationship as the most consequential bilateral relationship in the world. The two nations remain deeply interconnected economically while simultaneously competing for influence in technology, security, manufacturing, and global leadership.
Rather than viewing China through a single lens, Rogin argued that policymakers must recognize both the complexity of the relationship and its influence on nearly every major international issue.
A Different Approach to Beijing
Comparing recent administrations, Rogin noted significant differences in how President Trump has approached China. He explained that while Trump’s first term featured many officials advocating a tougher stance toward Beijing, the current administration reflects a stronger emphasis on direct engagement between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Rogin suggested this leader-to-leader approach shapes many of the administration’s decisions regarding trade, Taiwan, and broader strategic competition.
Taiwan, Technology and Economic Competition
The discussion also highlighted Taiwan’s central role in global technology supply chains. Rogin emphasized that advanced semiconductor manufacturing has become one of the world’s most important strategic assets, making Taiwan critical to both economic security and national defense.
He also discussed the challenges surrounding tariffs, rare earth minerals, and America’s dependence on Chinese manufacturing for key technologies and industrial components. Reducing those dependencies, he argued, will require years of investment and careful planning rather than quick policy changes.
Why Global Events Often Benefit Beijing
One of Rogin’s broader observations was that prolonged international conflicts can create opportunities for China to expand its influence. As other nations focus on military conflicts or economic disruptions, Beijing continues investing in infrastructure, manufacturing, renewable energy, and long-term partnerships across the developing world.
For Rogin, this illustrates why strategic competition with China extends far beyond military issues. It encompasses economics, diplomacy, technology, and the ability to build lasting international partnerships.
As global events continue to evolve, Rogin believes America’s long-term success will depend on maintaining strong alliances, fostering innovation, and pursuing a consistent strategy that looks beyond today’s headlines toward the broader balance of global power.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.