American efforts to hamstring China were likely to intensify under US President Donald Trump as G7 countries also expected greater risks, according to a pre-summit report released this week, days ahead of the annual Munich Security Conference.
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The leading international security summit, which will begin on Friday in Germany, will come at a pivotal moment – just weeks after Trump began his second presidential term.
The event will serve as a stage for Trump administration officials to deliver their foreign policy outlook, including a path toward ending the war in Ukraine, as well as offering the first face-to-face engagement between the new US administration and its European allies, as well as China.
According to a global risk index included in the report released on Monday by summit organisers, the US was seen as China’s top security concern, followed by the use of biological weapons and nuclear weapons. Last year, the US was ranked China’s third biggest security concern, behind cyberattacks and climate change.
However, the report added that Beijing could also benefit from Washington’s retrenchment from international commitments.
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Panama President Mulino rejects US claims of Chinese influence in Panama Canal
Panama President Mulino rejects US claims of Chinese influence in Panama Canal
The US, on the other hand, viewed China as its seventh biggest threat, the report said, as Washington saw cyberattacks as its biggest security concern, followed by Russia.