Jan. 20 marks the completion of U.S. President Donald Trump’s first two years in office. The most notable aspect of President Trump’s politics is that the U.S. has entered a “new Cold War” with China.

For the remaining two years of his term, President Trump will strive to achieve tangible results in this new Cold War. This will help him to carve out a path toward reelection.   

China is expanding its military and economic hegemony worldwide without subscribing to fundamental shared values such as freedom and democracy. By facing off against China, President Trump will not only serve the national interests of the U.S. but also help bring stability to the world from a mid-to-long-term perspective.

That is why the Republican Party and Democratic Party have put aside their political differences and reached a bipartisan consensus on confronting China. The U.S. must forge ahead for the next two years based on this shared recognition.

But domestic politics in the country is mired in stalemate. This is a cause for concern.

President Trump is at odds with the Democrats on the issue of whether to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico to stem the inflow of illegal immigrants. The partial shutdown of the government has become the longest one ever. No solution is yet in sight.

Under such circumstances, will it be possible for the U.S. to make all-out efforts to deal with China?

The government shutdown may obstruct the mission of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, which oversees the ongoing U.S.-China trade consultations.

It would be meaningless if the political turmoil at home were to cause disruptions in the policies that the government needs to pursue in dealing with China.

In last year’s midterm elections, the Democrats won a majority in the House of Representatives. President Trump must squarely face this divided Congress. Creating further turmoil needlessly would not be a constructive approach.

It is also extremely important for the U.S to work closely with its allies to deal with this “new Cold War” situation. Over the past two years, President Trump has waged trade wars not only with China but also with the U.S.’s allies, including Japan, Europe, and Canada. This has resulted in deepening U.S. isolation in the world.

Not only the United States but also its allies are raising the alarm over China.

American leadership is also indispensable in eliminating the nuclear and missile threat posed by North Korea

President Trump must fulfill America’s obligations to the world by focusing on coordination with U.S. allies.