Unlike the Cold War between the West and the USSR, a US-China cold war is unlikely, given the fact that China is heavily integrated in the global economy and that people-to-people exchange remains high.

In a new White House document, the “Strategic Approach to the People’s Republic of China”, the Trump administration accuses the Chinese Communist Party of exploitative economic and military tactics, which the U.S. plans to counter with a wide-range of means.

The COVID-19 pandemic is the latest complication in a relationship that was already strained over trade issues. It remains to be seen whether the outbreak’s positive or negative effects will prevail in the future.

As China continues to challenge the U.S., Washington should avoid engaging in inflammatory actions and rhetoric that will undermine its international presence and ultimately empower Beijing.

When the U.S. Trump Administration’s recently attempted to slam the door on Huawei, China’s leading telecommunication and technology loaded company, he and his China advisors broke the heretofore gold standard in international collaboration; and that has been the world’s semiconductor industry.

Italy is yet another country stuck at a fork in the road as it decides who a better ally would be: the US or China. Its current need for aid during the coronavirus pandemic may be a deciding factor in critical debates, such as whether or not Huawei should be allowed to operate within its borders.

The prospect of confrontation without dialogue between China and the United States is unthinkable, even dangerous — especially during a pandemic. But unless something is done soon, that’s where things are heading.

The pandemic has brought out the worst in U.S.-China relations, causing deep rifts and a public blame-game. Just as with other problematic times in this bilateral relationship, it will take time to recover. Stabilization is paramount.

The China hawks in the United States should think carefully about a fundamental question: What benefits could America possibly derive from bad relations?

The "always blame China" mentality hurts global response to COVID-19.