Effects of the US-China Trade Wars on the World Economy
Abstract
After World War I, the dominant approach in international relations was idealism; this perspective emphasized the individual, freedoms, and peace, but after World War II, it was replaced by realism, which continues to be the prevailing approach in contemporary international relations. In realism, the primary concern is the survival and national interests of the state; states view the use of power as the principal instrument to achieve these objectives, and moral principles or values do not override national interests. In this context, the notion that "all means are permissible" applies to states. The concept of power in realism is not limited to military capabilities; in addition to military power, political and economic power are also critical for states, and they deploy these resources sequentially according to the challenges and opportunities they face in international relations. Today, states no longer confront each other directly on the battlefield; rather, political and economic competition has become dominant, as states seek to weaken and exhaust their rivals in these spheres. The effectiveness of military power largely depends on the foundation provided by political and economic strength, and states lacking these resources cannot maintain significant military power. Consequently, to preserve their interests, strength, and survival, states increasingly rely on economic measures such as trade wars rather than direct armed conflict. The United States, as a global superpower, perceives the rising economic and military power of China as a rival and potential threat, and both countries employ economic tools as strategic instruments, engaging in competition through trade.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
International Politics, Globalisation, Far East Studies
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
June 30, 2026
Submission Date
February 2, 2026
Acceptance Date
May 11, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 1