Chongqing - Two major U.S. policy documents have recently drawn close attention: the National Security Strategy and the National Defense Authorization Act. China features prominently in both. Yet their language and emphasis appear to diverge, prompting debate over whether Washington is recalibrating its approach—or simply expressing it through different channels.

On the one hand, the latest National Security Strategy adopts noticeably more measured language toward China than earlier iterations. Some media outlets have interpreted this tonal adjustment as a sign of a U.S. “retreat” or softening in its overall China policy.

On the other hand, the National Defense Authorization Act continues to reinforce a strong “China threat” narrative. It expands investment restrictions, strengthens security screening mechanisms, and deepens elements of strategic and technological containment—signals that suggest sustained, if not intensified, competitive pressure.

How should these seemingly contradictory messages be understood? Do they reflect policy inconsistency, or a more complex division of strategic labor within the U.S. system?

To unpack the logic and trajectory behind this dual rhetoric, Sun Chenghao, a researcher at the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, offers an in-depth analysis of Washington’s underlying intentions and strategic calculations. His assessment sheds light on how the United States balances reassurance and deterrence—and how this balance is likely to shape the next phase of U.S.–China relations.