Tensions between the United States and China are rising sharply, with serious warnings now coming from voices close to Beijing.
A Chinese government-linked expert has told former U.S. President Donald Trump that any future conflict between the two countries could lead to “armageddon,” because both nations are heavily armed and capable of destroying not just each other, but the entire world.
The warning came from Victor Gao, a senior figure at the Center for China and Globalization, a Beijing-based think tank linked to the Chinese Communist Party. During an interview on BBC Radio 4, Gao was asked about China’s ongoing military build-up. He responded by accusing the U.S. of constantly threatening war against China and listed the many fronts on which the two superpowers are clashing — including trade, technology, science, and even military strategy.
He said the U.S. has launched a series of aggressive moves, such as high tariffs on Chinese goods, which Trump reintroduced at a steep 145 percent on April 2, a date Trump now calls “Liberation Day.” In response, China has hit back with its own tariffs of 125 percent.
Gao warned that Washington’s actions and words suggest a serious intention to push toward confrontation, but he insisted that peace must remain the ultimate goal. He argued that because both countries have enough nuclear power to wipe each other out multiple times, any war would be a disaster not only for the U.S. and China but for the whole world.
He urged American leaders to take a step back and choose diplomacy instead of aggression. He warned that any war started by the U.S. would lead to devastating consequences and described it as a trigger for global destruction.
Gao also strongly criticized the U.S. for trying to isolate China. He said if America treats China with hostility and disrespect, China will respond the same way. He claimed that the Chinese economy is now larger than the U.S. market and growing fast, and warned that the day may come when Americans regret shutting China out. Referencing Elon Musk, Gao reminded listeners that China’s market could be two or three times bigger than the U.S. by mid-century.
He added that if the U.S. tries to slam the door on China, it may later be the one begging to get back in.
Adding to these rising tensions are geopolitical flashpoints like the South China Sea, where China has built military bases on disputed islands, sparking outrage in Washington. Meanwhile, America’s continued support for Taiwan — which China considers part of its territory — remains a major sore point for Beijing.
Other concerns are emerging too. Reports have surfaced that Chinese nationals wearing military uniforms have been captured in Ukraine, fueling suspicions about China’s quiet involvement in the conflict and its close ties with Russia. While China denies any direct military role, the claims have increased tensions in Washington.
With all these issues combined — trade, military power, territory disputes, and global influence — experts warn that the rivalry between the U.S. and China has entered a dangerous stage. How it plays out could shape the global balance of power for generations to come.
