> and also deciding to escalate hostilities with China, the world second largest economy, as a 'pick me' demonstration of loyalty to the aforementioned US.

Agreed on the rest of your comment, but not on this one. The hostilities were instigated by China occupying Hong Kong despite a binding treaty. HK was a former British territory, allowing its unilateral takeover without at least some form of payback would be utter idiocy.