Recently, relations between the US and China have become increasingly tense. fresh media reports that Elon Musk, head of the Government's Department of Efficiency (DOGE), was to be briefed in US military plans in the event of a war with China, sparked a large stir in American public opinion.
U.S. president Donald Trump, however, denied this information, stating that "they do not want to wage a possible war with China, but I can tell you that if it had happened, we would have been very well prepared for it." The president's comment came in connection with reports of Musk's visit to the Pentagon, where he met with defence minister Pete Hegseth.
According to the fresh York Times, Musk was about to learn the details of the American plan in the Pentagon in the event of a possible conflict with China. Pentagon officials powerfully denied these reports. Trump admitted that Musk had business interests in China, which could be a conflict of interest if he were informed of a possible war plan with this country.
According to CNN, a billionaire has access to top-secretity information. A gathering at the Pentagon took place at a time erstwhile the Defence Ministry is considering crucial cuts in the highest ranks of the armed forces as part of Trump administration efforts to reduce government spending. Hegseth explained that the Pentagon would cooperate with DOGE to detect fraud and waste in the department.
Musk has lucrative agreements with the Ministry of Defence. In October 2024, the U.S. Space Force granted its SpaceX company contracts for a $733 million launch. Neither Hegseth nor Musk responded to whether they talked about China during the gathering and whether it was a secret briefing. Hegseth, indago by the “New York Times” after Musk left, replied, “Why should I tell you about it?” Later, in the White House, he described the gathering as “fantastic”.
It is worth noting that relations between the US and China are increasingly tensed, 尤其 in matters of trade and national security. According to White home records, the US trade deficit with China was $419.6 billion in 2022.
The large tension in relations between the US and China can have serious consequences for the global economy. According to the global Monetary Fund (IMF), global trade may decline by 1.5% in 2023 if relations between the US and China do not improve.
In this context, strategical planning and coordination between the US and their allies are crucial to maintaining stableness in the region. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, defence spending in 2023 amounted to $721 billion, which represents 3.2% of US GDP.
Therefore, considering war plans is increasingly important. According to CNN, the Pentagon is preparing for a possible conflict with China, including through the improvement of fresh technologies and increased defence spending.
However, any experts argue that the war on China is not the only solution. According to the Council on abroad Relations, diplomacy and negotiations can be effective tools in resolving conflicts between the US and China.
In this context, the improvement of fresh technologies and the increase in defence spending should not be the only priorities. According to Brookings Institution, investment in education and economical improvement can be crucial factors in reducing tensions between the US and China.
Finally, relations between the US and China are very complex and require a multifaceted approach. According to the White House, the Trump administration is committed to developing fresh strategies to improve relations between the US and China.
