Beware of the return of McCarthyist politics

The anti-Chinese sentiment is shown by the recent directive from Texas Governor Greg Abbott to state agencies to divest from China-related operations, which is deeply concerning. Abbott, the highest elected official in a state whose economy would rank as the eighth-largest in the world if Texas were an independent nation, wields considerable influence in not just the state, but across the United States as well. His actions, which align with the broader narrative of suspicion toward China, could set a troubling precedent for other US states and the federal government.

Abbott's loyalty to president-elect Donald Trump further intensifies the implications of his directive. Abbott was at one point even considered a potential vice-presidential candidate during Trump's campaign. This association underscores the alignment of the Texas governor's policies with the broader nationalist and protectionist agenda that has gained traction in recent years. As the nation approaches January 2025, when a new administration will take office, Abbott's actions could embolden other states to adopt similar measures, fueling an anti-China wave that could disrupt not only bilateral relations but also global stability.

Abbott's orders are emblematic of a broader trend that analysts fear resembles a modern-day McCarthyism, a political climate dominated by fear, suspicion, and scapegoating of foreign powers. This emerging pattern of Sinophobia has the potential to engulf the US in an irrational paranoia that equates competition with enmity. While competition between the US and China is natural in areas such as technology, trade and even geopolitics, it does not necessitate outright hostility. Portraying China as an adversary, as Abbott's rhetoric and directives do, undermines the possibility of meaningful cooperation between the world's two largest economies.