Trump backs down from confronting China... So what is the "Skull Plan"?

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

Arab Gulf States_Reports: The United States now appears to be in the process of a comprehensive reassessment of its relations with China, in both trade and defense. The latest National Defense Strategy, recently submitted to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, indicates a refocusing of the "War Department" on domestic and regional tasks, rather than focusing on global adversaries such as China and Russia, according to the Asia Times. This document, supposedly the work of Under Secretary of War for Policy, Elbridge Colby, overturns decades of previous interventionist policies, adopting a more realistic approach to dealing with major powers. This may surprise observers, especially since Colby was a prominent advocate of a strong "denial strategy" to confront China. However, in his confirmation hearings, Colby showed surprising glimpses of realism, saying, "Taiwan is very important to the United States, but it is not an existential interest." These statements raise an important question: Did this retreat come after a review of intelligence and accurate data, or is it merely a reflection of the whims of a volatile president? In contrast, China recently showcased a stunning military display, demonstrating the ability of its defense industry to develop at an astonishing pace, similar to its success in the electric car industry. China presented new equipment including missiles, drones, fighter jets, helicopters, submarines, and warships. China benefits from universities that graduate 6.7 times the number of engineers compared to the United States annually, enhancing its ability to develop weapons at an unprecedented speed. The defensive retreat is not the only one expected; the Trump administration has extended tariff negotiations with China for an additional 90 days, the third time negotiations with China have been rolled back. The first time was after escalating tariff rounds in Geneva, which threatened to empty American store shelves and freeze industries due to a lack of inputs. The second time involved reversing sanctions on Chinese students and aircraft engine exports, and partially restoring rare earth metal exports after China halted them. The analysis shows that China's GDP on a purchasing power parity basis is larger than officially estimated, equivalent to two or three times the American output. The International Comparison Program (ICP) shows that per capita income in China and Mexico is almost similar, but a comparison of prices, goods, and services indicates that official Chinese values are too low, underestimating China's actual consumption and production. For his part, Professor Rafael Gothmann of Alberto Hurtado University explained that the actual size of the Chinese economy is more than twice the size of the American economy in terms of consumption and industrial production, and confirms that Chinese industries cover vast areas with huge levels of productivity. Observers call these calculations the "skull scheme," a satirical meme inspired by Václav Havel's observation about China's enormous growth: "We have not yet had time to be amazed." American citizens now realize the magnitude of the Chinese challenge, and this is reflected in the new National Defense Strategy, which represents a realistic decision for a tired empire seeking to address domestic challenges before engaging in foreign conflicts. The new report calls on the United States to reconsider its military commitments, direct resources to solving internal problems and addressing domestic waste fires, while recognizing that soldiers patrolling American cities are part of a broader strategy to contain challenges. At the same time, Trump's economic team is struggling to deal with "skull scheme" calculations in trade negotiations, realizing that Chinese power is not just official figures, but a tangible reality that forces the United States to adopt a more balanced and realistic policy.