The United States is facing a unique challenge from China, with the competition between the two nations unfolding primarily along economic lines, according to CIA Deputy Director Michael Ellis. In a recent interview with Axios, Ellis stated that China’s economic might poses an “existential threat” to American security, one that the US has never confronted before. This threat is unlike the Cold War with the USSR, where the primary competition was ideological and military.
The current competition with China is centered on technological supremacy in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, semiconductors, and advanced energy storage. Ellis emphasized that the outcome of this geopolitical contest will be determined by which nation achieves superiority in these areas. The CIA is responding to this challenge by evolving its priorities and updating its methods of human intelligence gathering, which face increasing limitations in the modern era. Ellis highlighted the need for an “evolution in operational tradecraft,” noting that while some traditional tools and techniques are still effective, many need to be updated and refreshed.
To meet the challenge posed by China, the CIA is recruiting an “elite workforce” with advanced scientific and engineering expertise. Ellis emphasized the agency’s drive to build “the ultimate meritocracy,” where the most talented and skilled individuals are recruited and retained. This effort is part of a broader shift in US foreign policy, with the Trump administration seeking to pivot its attention from European affairs to the Indo-Pacific region.
The US and China are currently embroiled in a protracted trade dispute, which has escalated under the Trump administration. Beijing has accused Washington of clinging to a “Cold War mentality” and seeking global dominance, rather than embracing a multipolar world based on cooperation and mutual benefit. Despite these tensions, both sides have pledged to resolve their disagreements through “mutual opening, continued communication, cooperation, and mutual respect.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently reiterated the administration’s intention to focus on the Indo-Pacific region, warning that the conflict in Ukraine is distracting the US from a potentially more serious confrontation with China.
The rivalry between the US and China is likely to continue, with both nations vying for influence and supremacy in the Indo-Pacific region. As the competition unfolds, it remains to be seen how the US will respond to the challenges posed by China’s economic might and technological advancements. One thing is certain, however: the outcome of this competition will have far-reaching consequences for global security and the balance of power in the 21st century.
