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The U.S.-China hegemonic competition is clearly underway, as the Biden administration acknowledges China as the only challenger to the existing global hegemony. This recognition has initiated a power struggle between the two, despite neither possessing absolute national power for complete dominance. This article goes beyond the traditional debate of whether China will eventually surpass the U.S. and focuses on deriving pertinent implications. The role of allies in shaping the U.S.-China competition is gaining significance. The U.S. is restructuring the global supply chain to exclude China, creating overlapping mini-lateral cooperative networks with traditional allies and friendly nations. Conversely, China is expanding its influence through traditional multilateral cooperation, aligning with alliance transition theory. Furthermore, mid-sized countries, especially pivotal ones are assuming a more critical role. This situation has implications for ROK government's foreign policy, which aims to play an active role as a Global Pivotal State emphasizing liberal democratic values and common interests.
Key Words: Hegemonic Competition, Power Transitions, Alliance Transitions, Pivotal States
I. Introduction
The recent international landscape is growing increasingly complex due to the U.S.-China hegemonic rivalry, which originated with trade disputes during the Trump administration of the United States but has expanded and intensified across various domains, including military, politics, economy, technology, values, and ideology.
Until recently, the United States had been making efforts to incorporate China within the framework of the U.S.-led liberal international order rather than viewing it as a direct rival. However, a shift in U.S. perceptions of China became noticeable with the Obama administration's introduction of the "Pivot to Asia" and "rebalancing strategy" in 2012. This shift gained further momentum following President Xi Jinping's call for "a new type of major power relations."1 Ultimately, the trade conflict between the U.S. and China, which was triggered during the Trump administration, has evolved and broadened into a full-fledged hegemonic competition during the Biden administration.
The Biden administration has formally acknowledged and articulated the nature of the competition between the United States and China. Specifically, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken presented "The Administration's Approach to the People's Republic of China" in which he unmistakably characterized China as a contender challenging the current global order. He argued that "China is the only country with both the intent to reshape the international...