In a world that changes at an accelerated pace, China does not resort to public confrontation, but rather constructs its strategic tools calmly and accurately.
Beijing pursues methods far from direct battles, relying on what is known as the “gray war”, as it uses political, economic and technical means to make gradual changes that weaken its opponents over time.
Beijing is fluent in the management of its tools behind the curtain, ranging from the deduction of the opponent in a slow pace with sudden shocks that make confusion without warning. Although these tools do not belong to the military field, their effect may exceed the impact of weapons.
Some observers resemble the United States with a transient hurricane that causes destruction and then disappears, while they see in China a sustainable climatic phenomenon, quietly penetrating and changing the features of the scene in the long term.
With the growing international presence, the relationship between it and Washington exceeded the limits of traditional competition, turning into an explicit attempt to re -engineer the global order towards a pluralistic pluralism that Beijing leads with sophistication and mine no less dangerous than the explicit war.
In this report, we review the most prominent tools that China uses to enhance its global influence, and the impact of each of the United States’ positions and strategies.
U.S. economic stability
Beijing is moving with deliberate economic plans that lead to imbalances in the American without entering into a direct conflict. Methods, including the imposition of counter -fees, the legalization of their exports of raw materials, and the amendment of their prices, are used to cause a cost increase within the American market.
This move contributes to the escalation of commodity prices, and the exacerbation of inflation levels, which constitutes an additional burden on the companies. With annual imports from China exceeding 438 billion dollars, trade activity turns into a negotiating paper used with the utmost craftsmanship against Washington.
These economic pressures drive the federal reserve to raise interest rates, in an attempt to contain inflation, but the possible result is a stagnation accompanied by high prices, which slows down the wheel of the American economy.
Besides, American companies face multiple obstacles inside China, from procedural complications to operational restrictions that affect their stability and profit. Internally, the White House decision -makers are exposed to increasing pressure, as the trade war has become internal divisions, with the votes of critics of customs duties.
Rare minerals … the weakness of the American industry
China dominates about 80% of the global production of rare minerals, which are essential components in military and technical industries such as fine chips, advanced aircraft and batteries.
In the escalation periods, Beijing does not need direct threats, but it is sufficient to slow the pace of export or modify prices, which impedes the wheel of American production.
Its dominance is not limited to its territory, as its investments are spread in more than 30 projects to extract these minerals in Africa, which gives them almost absolute influence.
Washington is trying to liberate this dependency through agreements with countries such as Ukraine, Congo and Pakistan, as well as Greenland as a promising source, but extracting these materials requires a long time and a high cost, which keeps the key to this industry in Beijing’s grip.
In a parallel context, China controls the clean energy industry, producing 90% of global solar panels, and dominates more than 75% of electric car batteries.
Breaking the dollar monopoly
China is implementing a gradual strategy to reduce the dollar’s control over the international financial system. Do not seek to drop it directly, but rather to extract its dominance through calculated steps aimed at establishing a global critical balance.
China’s plans are manifested in:
- Signing currency exchange agreements in the yuan.
- Pricing some commodities in the Chinese currency.
- Development of alternative financial platforms for the Swift system.
- Connect the Belt and Road projects to the yuan.
- Reducing dependence on the dollar in international trade.
- Defleving penalties through the barter or yuan system.
- Watch media and diplomatic campaigns condemning the dollar.
- Establishing a network of 31 clearing banks in 27 countries.
With the decline in confidence in American political stability, especially during the Trump era, the steps of countries are accelerating towards diversifying their reserves away from the dollar. This change does not happen overnight, but it is taken into account.
By the end of 2023, China beyond the United States in the volume of bilateral trade with 112 countries around the world.
American bonds are a financial influence tool
Beijing maintains about 750 billion dollars in US bonds, a financially sensitive financial tool. It is not required to be used publicly; To wave a gradual sale is sufficient to raise the cost of borrowing and cause a disturbance in the market.
This tool is used as an implicit deterrent card that makes any American attempt to escalate the dispute fraught with cost, as such a behavior may lead to shaking the image of the dollar as a haven currency.
Targeting American companies inside China
Beijing imposes an unstable operational environment on or associated American companies operating in the supply chains. This is done through sudden legal investigations, amending tax systems, or deliberately delaying regulatory procedures.
Some companies may be included in the ban lists, or unannounced instructions to stop cooperation with them, which educates the business environment and presses the New York Stock Exchange by reducing profits and declining confidence.
Control the drug market
The United States depends on 80% on importing in the active substances, and China dominates a large part of this market, either directly or across India, which in turn depends on Beijing by 70%.
Any reduction in Chinese export may strike drug supply chains, which leads to a lack of medications, high prices, and direct pressure on the American health system.
Food is a strategic weapon
China plays a major role in the global food market, and it takes advantage of this influence to pressure at times of tension, by imposing definitions on American agricultural products or turning into alternative sources.
In 2024, China’s imports of US agriculture amounted to about $ 25 billion, equivalent to 14% of Washington’s total agricultural imports. This equation educates American farmers, and increases pressure on rural state rulers.
Soft and technological tools
Beijing has provided technical and financing alternatives to developing countries, including satellites, communications networks, electric cars and low -cost financing. It also strengthened the “Belt and Road” initiative to become a global platform for multilateral cooperation.
It also established educational and cultural centers, and promoted the speech of the “development partner” against the acute American dialect.
It also exerts indirect pressure on Washington’s allies, support pressure groups inside America, and attract scientific minds from its universities.
Taiwan and Sea South China paper
China’s movements in the Strait of Taiwan and the disputed water are an explicit challenge for Washington, as it puts it in front of two options: escalating with the risks, or retreat and endure the losses of political prestige.
Tourism as a silent economic tool
Chinese tourism is a source of vital income for major American cities, and its contribution reaches about 20 billion dollars annually. In the event of reducing it, multiple sectors of hotels are affected by transport, without direct noise.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman recently published a rare recording of Mo Ze Tong dating back to 1953, saying: “We will fight until we win completely.” After decades, Beijing embodies this saying, but by various means: through economy, money, technology and diplomacy.
While Washington wasted a lot of its power in side conflicts, China has invested its patience in strengthening its soft and solid tools. Today, the United States stands in front of a global scene that changes steadily and threatens its historical position, in the face of a opponent who does not shoot, but rather reshapes the balance of power with great calm, but effectively that is not hidden.
