Now, for the United States, China is the biggest threat. In the struggle with China, the United States and other countries have been trying to contain China's growth and "decouple" from China. However, it turned out that the United States was not satisfied with this, especially with military equipment.
U.S. Vice President Hunt also admitted frankly that it is an arduous task to completely abandon relying on Chinese parts. This is due to the fact that the magnet parts used by Lockheed Martin to build the F-35 Lightning II aircraft have to be imported from China. In addition, because China controls the world's gallium raw materials, other parts and materials for the F-35 fighter, such as the active phased array antenna used, must be imported from China. Therefore, if the United States wants to continue to build F-35 fighters, it will inevitably rely on China. Hunt's statement is in fact an acknowledgment of the fact that it is impossible for the United States to completely separate itself from China in terms of armaments.
The United States' attempt to "dissociate itself from China" reflects its fear of China's development. However, China has made great strides in cutting-edge technology in recent years, and already has some core technologies and resources. While they strenuously shy away from this fact, this prevents the United States from completely detaching itself from Chinese influence.
The F-35 fighter is the main type of the U.S. Army** and plays a vital role in maintaining the United States' strong military strength. However, since the manufacture and maintenance of F-35 fighters require importing some important parts and raw materials from China, the United States cannot completely disregard China. Because of this, American Air Force officers must frankly say that they have not been able to completely get rid of this connection.
The United States is in a predicament not only because of its dependence on F-35 fighter jets, but also because of China's development in other areas. China has achieved important technological breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, 5G, new energy, etc., and has the strength of independent research and development. This has left the United States behind China in the "decoupling war" with China. The United States has tried to stop China, whether it is in a war or a debate about semiconductor technology, it has been choked by the throat by China.
For the United States, disengagement from China is a difficult process. China's rise and growth make it impossible for the United States to admit that China is rising, which the United States calls "political correctness." The United States has always wanted to bring everyone else in and exclude China, but this path is very difficult.
There is no doubt about China's growth and rise. Whether the United States accepts it or not, China has made great strides in science and technology and economics. For the United States, severing relations with China can only be an act of self-isolation and self-containment.
In general, the United States has always wanted to restrain and control China, but in the end it has not been able to completely disengage from it. Especially in terms of equipment, US Deputy Hunt's statement shows that the United States cannot give up its dependence on China. The rise of China has brought about tremendous changes in the face of the world, which the United States cannot hide no matter how much it thinks about it. Therefore, in order to achieve development and prosperity on both sides, the United States should adapt to and properly respond to China's rise. Only by strengthening cooperation and communication can all countries in the world move towards a win-win situation.