US Strategic Decline Accelerates as Trump Pursues Short-Term Gains in Beijing (legrandcontinent.eu)

• Trump's tariffs are legally challenged and create uncertainty, while China reroutes trade via third countries.
• The US relaxes semiconductor export controls for short-term cash; China ramps up its own chip production with massive subsidies.
• Allies like Japan and the EU prepare more independent strategies as Trump undermines them with bilateral deals with Beijing.

"Trump's second term is accelerating the relative US decline versus China. Tariffs backfiring, tech controls relaxed, and the Iran war weaken Washington's position while strengthening Beijing as mediator and manufacturer. Allies lose confidence in US coherence."