Soybean Deals Distract from China's Long-Term Dominance

China's strategic focus on long-term positioning contrasts with America's fixation on short-term 'wins'.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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This article argues that China's approach to competition with the U.S. is focused on long-term strategic positioning, while the U.S. is overly fixated on short-term 'wins' like soybean trade deals. The author contends that China is quietly accumulating leverage and control over critical supply chains, while the U.S. celebrates minor concessions as progress.

Why it matters

The article suggests that the U.S. is failing to recognize China's long-term strategy, which involves securing dominance over key industries and infrastructure rather than just negotiating individual trade deals. This could have significant geopolitical and economic implications for the U.S. if left unchecked.

The details

The piece uses soybean trade as an example, noting that even after China 'resumed' U.S. soybean purchases, exports remain down 99% from historical levels. The author argues this reflects China's focus on positioning rather than just transaction-based 'wins'. Similar patterns are seen in China's approach to the WTO, rare earth minerals, and the Belt and Road infrastructure initiative - China is accumulating long-term leverage while the U.S. celebrates temporary concessions.

  • China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001.
  • The Phase One trade deal was reached in 2020.

The players

China

The world's second-largest economy and a strategic competitor of the United States.

United States

The world's largest economy and a global superpower.

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The takeaway

This article suggests the U.S. needs to shift its focus from short-term 'wins' to understanding and countering China's long-term strategic positioning, which involves securing control over critical industries and infrastructure rather than just negotiating individual trade deals.