J. Bradford DeLong urges Trump to take a close look at the intense rivalry between the British Empire and the Dutch Republic in the 17th century, as the two were fighting for global dominance. As the Dutch realised that they were gradually losing to the British, they moved to “shift from opposing Britain to engaging with it,” which proved to be a “crucial factor in this transition.” The two powers became long-time allies, with the Dutch being the junior partner.”

The author says, today, the US is a global superpower in “relative decline”, confronting an assertive and fast-rising China, “hungry for wealth and global preeminence.” The US should “aim for a soft landing, so that it still has a comfortable place in the world once its dominance fades.” Obama acknowledged America’s decline and dealt with it. Despite “all legitimate disagreements” with China, he sought to “manage them by advancing and defending their respective interests.”

Under normal circumstances, these “tensions do not outweigh the two countries’ common interest in peace and prosperity,” but Obama irked those at home, who accused him of being apologetic and weakening the country. Unfortunately, Trump has no sense of history, and his “incoherent, confrontational approach toward China could seriously damage America’s long-term interests.” Worse, he begrudges his predecessor’s success in foreign policy and seeks to destroy his legacy.

China challenges America’s predominance in technology, aiming to surpass the US as the world’s largest economy, and be a military superpower to be reckoned with. It demands influence and respect in international bodies. Critics say Beijing’s ascendance came at the cost of the US and its Western allies, that had complained about China’s unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft. Instead of joining forces to counter Beijing, Trump has treated America’s old allies as rivals.

Due to decades long resentment and rising tensions, any misunderstandings about each other’s actions and intentions could lead China and the US into a deadly trap first identified by the ancient Greek historian Thucydides. It was the rise of Athens and the fear that it instilled in Sparta that made war inevitable. History is littered with similar examples. The past 500 years have seen 16 cases in which a rising power threatened to displace a ruling one. Twelve of these ended in war.

The author points out that a «century and a half ago, imperial Britain faced a similar competitive threat from America. And in the seventeenth century, the Dutch Republic was the superpower and England the challenger.» But they worked ut their differences and found common ground, forming a «durable alliance». In the 17th century the Dutch became the junior partner, and a century later Britain played the second fiddle in its Transatlantic relationship with the US.

Today the two leaders of the world’s largest economies – Trump and Xi – are seeking to manage the world’s most dangerous geopolitical relationship. The author says, US policymakers «could learn much by studying the actions of the Dutch Republic and Britain when they were global hyperpowers pursuing soft landings.» He also recommends them to read “The Sources of Soviet Conduct,” the 1947 article by US diplomat George F. Kennan that called for a US policy of containment toward the Soviet Union.

«Three of Kennan’s points stand out. First, he wrote, US policymakers should not panic, but recognize what the long game is and play it. Second, America should not try to contain the Soviet Union unilaterally, but rather assemble broad alliances to confront, resist, and sanction it. Third, America should become its best self, because as long as the struggle between the US and Soviet systems remained peaceful, liberty and prosperity would ultimately be decisive».

Sadly, Trump has «steadfastly ignored such advice.» Since taking office he has adopted a wrecking ball approach, derailing valuable alliances to contain China and shelving the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. «And he continues to make random, incoherent demands – such as immediately eliminating the bilateral US-China trade deficit. » Not only is he ignorant and unintelligent, he lacks the temperament to be president. He has divided the country. Abroad, the US has few friends other than illiberal leaders, on whom he heaps praise. He is unfit for the office and needs to be removed.