Executive Summary
The concept of national security is expanding beyond traditional military defense, driven by the US-China rivalry. Both nations now define security to include economic, technological, and ideological spheres, leading to increased trade and investment restrictions. This untethered expansion, used to justify policy goals like maintaining technological superiority or protecting political stability, risks eroding the international economic legal order and promoting protectionism.
Why It Matters
This document is crucial for defense and geopolitical analysts as it details how the expanded definition of national security by the U.S. and China is reshaping international economic law and global strategic competition. It highlights the implications of this shift for trade, investment, and the stability of the international system.
Key Takeaways
- National security definitions have expanded beyond military defense to include economic, technological, and ideological power, primarily due to U.S.-China rivalry.
- This expanded conceptualization is driving increased trade wars, sanctions, and investment restrictions, impacting international economic law.
- The shift risks destabilizing the international legal landscape and intensifying great power competition.
- Both the U.S. and China are using this expanded definition to justify policies aimed at retaining or gaining superiority in various power spheres.
Strategic Relevance
The redefinition of national security by major powers like the U.S. and China has profound strategic implications, transforming economic policy into a tool of geopolitical competition. This shift affects global supply chains, technological development, and the international legal framework, necessitating a re-evaluation of traditional strategic planning and risk assessment.