Democrat sounds alarm on Hegseth’s use of ‘G2’ to describe US-China relationship

7 comments

1. Starter:
   Pete Hegseth has caused controversy by describing US and China as a coalition called “G2”, in contrast to organizations [like the G7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G7), effectively sidelining long-standing partners and allies of America from regions like Europe, but also sidelining future partners like India.

   In November, Trump himself [used the term “G2”](https://apnews.com/article/china-united-states-trump-xi-g2-b6a79a6b81d56fb3a29c7a66a3391636), which was strange but went mostly unnoticed. Now, repeated use by the administration seems to be trying to normalize a reset where not only is China considered an equal to the US, but also a partner that the US respects and negotiates with. This is a big departure from the dominant Western view that China – and in particular its CCP government – are a threat to freedom and liberal values such as free speech, democracy, etc.

   Now, Pete Hegseth has [used the “G2” term to describe US-China relations on Twitter](https://xcancel.com/PeteHegseth/status/1984747624461975576), where he praised the relationship with China as positive, and even said “God bless both China and the USA!”. This is a massive departure from existing American foreign policy but also seems like a betrayal to America’s constitutional values. Additionally, he posted this message from his personal Twitter account. At least one reply has [called out](https://xcancel.com/FrankC164/status/1984856425290416476) that not posting on social media from official government accounts may be in violation of FOIA, NARA archiving, and Congressional review under the Presidential Records Act (44 U.S.C. §§2201–2209) and Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. Chs. 31 & 33).

   This shift in US foreign policy regarding China may also maybe an explanation for Trump’s actions. Weirdly, the Trump 2.0 administration has been soft on China. For example, Trump has delayed the TikTok ban. Congress [passed PAFACA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protecting_Americans_from_Foreign_Adversary_Controlled_Applications_Act) with overwhelming bipartisan support, and this law requires TikTok to have been banned if it is deemed a threat to national security – which is the widespread view of both parties. However, President Trump has declined to enforce PAFACA and keeps delaying the ban. He also has lower tariffs on China than on many other countries, including Canada, India, and Brazil. This is very strange and suspicious, and I wonder if something else is going on.

   What do people here think? Is this a good move or a bad one? Is Trump making a justifiable shift in foreign policy, or is he doing so because he is either profiting off the new China relationship, or is he maybe compromised by China in some way?

2. For those with a deep interest in US, China, Russia relations please feel free to visit /r/newcoldwar.

3. He’s arrived to the conclusion that it’s more profitable to agree how to slice up the pie without being tied down by inherited baggage from the old world.

4. “Democrats sound alarm” has lost any impact or emphasis that it have historically carried.

5. I mean if we’re being perfectly honest here, the US and China are leaps and bounds ahead by GDP, representing what, 40-50% of the entire global economy compared to the next European economy on the list which is a quarter the size of China’s and a sixth the size of the US’? The US and China are in a league of their own, economically speaking.

   Secondly, I’m not sure what leg Europe has to stand on in saying the US will be too friendly to china when it has chronically and consistently complained about the US being too paranoid about china and cozied up to it themselves. It sounds like they’re more afraid of being cut out of the loop than actually worried about Chinese aggression

6. I don’t like Hegseth at all, however I think this is a good thing. The US is using language that is accepting of China as a peer, and to work with it as such. This reduces the chance of conflict which is good for everybody.

   It’s more concerning when the US sees China as both a threat, but as comparatively weaker, as that’s the kind of worldview that drives conflict.

7. Someone watched Firefly and got exactly the wrong message.

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