>it would be really monumentally stupid to treat them like they’re, I don’t know, actually Russia or Iran or something. We already foreclosed on that option a long time ago. Again, we’re too enmeshed and we can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube.

China is worse than Iran or Russia. They have greater economic strength, stronger international relations, a seemingly competent military and strong internal cohesion. They want to be top dog and that position inherently cannot be shared.