US Strategy to Disrupt Global Trade: The Distant Blockade Against China

The US Strategy to Contain China

For decades, the United States has pursued a strategy of containing China and maintaining global primacy. This policy dates back to the end of World War II and has been a consistent focus of US foreign policy across multiple administrations.

A key document from 1965 outlined the US policy to "contain communist China" as a long-running objective. This strategy involved military operations in Southeast Asia and efforts to influence countries surrounding China. The goal was to prevent China from becoming a peer competitor to the United States on the global stage.

More recently, the US has begun reorganizing its military specifically for a potential conflict with China. This includes reshaping the Marine Corps to focus on anti-ship capabilities in the Pacific region.

The "Distant Blockade" Strategy

A central component of the US strategy against China is the concept of a "distant blockade." This involves targeting Chinese maritime shipping at key chokepoints around the world, far from China's shores and defensive capabilities.

A 2026 war game scenario published by the US Naval Institute outlined this strategy:

"A distant blockade intercepting Chinese merchant shipping at key maritime choke points outside China's A2/AD reach would be generally sustainable, flexible in tempo and location, impose manageable risks of escalation, and impede China's resource-hungry, import-dependent war effort."

The plan involves intercepting and potentially seizing Chinese vessels to disrupt trade and augment the US Navy's own capabilities. This represents a shift from attempting to directly confront China militarily near its coasts to targeting its economic lifelines globally.

Reshaping the US Military

To implement this strategy, the US military is undergoing significant changes:

• The Marine Corps has been restructured, removing main battle tanks and focusing on anti-ship missile capabilities.
• New units are being designed for "dispersed operations across chains of islands" with a focus on disrupting shipping.
• There is an emphasis on developing long-range precision strike weapons to target ships from a distance.

These changes demonstrate that preparations for a potential conflict with China are well underway and shaping US military doctrine and capabilities.

Global Economic Implications

While framed as a strategy against China, the "distant blockade" concept poses significant risks to the entire global economy:

• China is the largest trading partner for many nations worldwide.
• Disrupting Chinese shipping would have cascading effects on supply chains and economies globally.
• The strategy essentially threatens the concept of free navigation that the US claims to protect.

By targeting Chinese trade, the US risks triggering a global economic crisis that would affect nations far beyond China itself. The interconnected nature of the modern economy means such a strategy could have devastating unintended consequences.

US Efforts to Isolate China

Beyond maritime strategies, the US has engaged in wide-ranging efforts to contain and isolate China:

• Political interference in countries partnering with China on infrastructure projects.
• Support for opposition groups and militants targeting Chinese interests abroad.
• Attempts to disrupt initiatives like the Belt and Road project.

Examples include:

• Backing militants in Pakistan who have attacked Chinese engineers and infrastructure projects.
• Supporting opposition forces in Myanmar that target Chinese-built facilities.
• Political efforts to cancel or delay Chinese infrastructure projects in Southeast Asian nations.

These actions demonstrate a comprehensive strategy to undermine China's economic and diplomatic ties globally.

China's Countermeasures

China is not unaware of US strategies and has taken steps to mitigate potential impacts:

• Stockpiling critical resources and commodities.
• Developing alternative trade routes and economic corridors to reduce reliance on vulnerable sea lanes.
• Strengthening military capabilities, particularly in anti-access/area denial systems to protect its near abroad.

However, China's ability to project power globally remains limited compared to the US, leaving it potentially vulnerable to the "distant blockade" concept.

The Role of Information Warfare

A critical component of US strategy involves shaping global perceptions of China:

• Extensive funding for media and civil society organizations in countries surrounding China.
• Efforts to influence public opinion against Chinese partnerships and initiatives.
• Leveraging accusations of human rights abuses and other issues to isolate China diplomatically.

This information warfare aspect is crucial in creating the political conditions that would allow for more overt actions against China in the future.

Potential Countermeasures for Targeted Nations

Countries concerned about being drawn into a US-China conflict could consider several approaches:

• Strengthening laws against foreign political interference.
• Scrutinizing and potentially restricting foreign funding of media and civil society groups.
• Developing more independent foreign policies that balance relations with both the US and China.
• Enhancing regional security cooperation to reduce reliance on external powers.

However, taking such steps risks retaliation from the US, presenting a difficult dilemma for many nations.

The Urgency of the Situation

While often framed as a future concern, US planning documents discuss potential conflict scenarios as early as 2026. This suggests that the window for preventative action may be limited.

Every year that passes potentially strengthens China's position, which may incentivize the US to act sooner rather than later. This creates a dangerous dynamic that could lead to hasty and destructive decisions.

Conclusion

The US strategy of a "distant blockade" against China represents a grave threat not just to China, but to global economic stability. By targeting the world's largest trading nation, such actions risk triggering a worldwide crisis that would dwarf previous economic disruptions.

Understanding this strategy is crucial for nations worldwide as they navigate an increasingly tense geopolitical landscape. The interconnected nature of the modern economy means that a conflict between the US and China would have far-reaching consequences for all.

Raising awareness of these plans and their potential impacts is essential. It allows for informed public discourse and potentially for diplomatic efforts to prevent such destabilizing scenarios from unfolding. The stakes are immense, affecting billions of lives and the future of the global economic order.

As tensions continue to rise, it is imperative that cooler heads prevail and that alternatives to conflict are vigorously pursued. The cost of failure in this regard is simply too high for the world to bear.

Article created from: https://youtu.be/nHYSkm9Jl-g?feature=shared