> and not, say, the Chinese?

Are you under the impression that the USA isn't already asking that question about the Chinese?

Examples:

  - Chinese "investors" getting access to Silicon Valley startups for "due diligence" before a theoretical investment
  - Forced IP transfer
  - Chinese-made networking equipment, drones, etc being banned
  - More scrutiny of Chinese university students

These might just be leverage in the current trade war, but I would argue they are multi-pronged flashpoints in a multi-front "war" between the previous superpower and a vying potential superpower.