NextFin news, On Thursday, October 2, 2025, Columbia University economist Jeffrey Sachs publicly argued that the United States is targeting China not because of ideological differences but due to fear of China's successful alternative economic model. Sachs stated that Washington's hostility stems from China's refusal to align as a subordinate economic power after the Cold War and its development of a high-performing system that challenges U.S. global dominance.
Speaking in a recent discussion, Sachs said, "China was supposed to develop in a way that is subservient to the United States. They didn’t… now they have to be punished." He emphasized that the issue is not communism but China's success with a different economic model that threatens the American playbook.
Sachs warned that the U.S. is increasingly adopting a Cold War-era containment strategy against China. This includes military buildup in Asia, technology export bans, trade agreements designed to exclude China, and diplomatic pressure on allies to isolate Beijing. He described this approach as driven by a mindset focused on maintaining U.S. preeminence rather than fostering peaceful coexistence.
According to Sachs, the U.S. perceives its global dominance as a right rather than a privilege, which fuels insecurity and aggressive policies. In contrast, China seeks to coexist as a great power and demonstrate the viability of a multipolar world without aiming to replace the U.S.
Sachs cautioned that the current U.S. approach risks escalating economic rivalry into open hostility, potentially making conflict inevitable. He highlighted that what terrifies Washington most is not China's difference but the fact that its alternative model is working effectively.
The economist's remarks were reported by Business Today on October 2, 2025, reflecting ongoing debates about U.S.-China relations and global economic order.
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