In another timeline, we would have already settled this issue. US Foreign Policy was pivoting to Asia in the late 90’s and W’s neocons were all-in on the China “problem”.

Then 9/11 happened and they chose instead for wars in Central Asia. But at least we got the iPhone. We’d probably all still be using flip phones with Plan A.

Poor neocons, it must bug them their ideas became so progressive.

https://harpers.org/2007/06/rumsfelds-china-policy/