Beijing: During the talks between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing, the latter asked whether both countries can avoid “Thucydides Trap”? The questions suggest the ambitions of China to move the ladder further.
The term was made popular in 2010 by a scholar. Graham Allison, a Harvard political scientist, gave reference to ancient Greek historian Thucydides, while arguing that when a rising power challenges the already established one, tensions begin to increase. Since then, his reference has been repeated across history.
Notably, in the current world order today, in terms of economy, the US continues to dominate the world even as China continues to challenge Washington’s dominance through its economy, technology and armed forces. Even while neither of the two sides side seeks confrontation, the competition between both sides may threaten a major conflict.
Who was Thucydides?
Notably, Thucydides was a Greek historian in the 5th century BC. During his time, he had explained the Peloponnesian war as an inevitable clash between Athens, the rising power, and Sparta, the superpower. It was while mentioning tensions between them he had coined the term “Thucydides Trap.”
Jinping’s earlier reference of ‘Thucydides Trap’?
Xi’s use of this term goes back to 2014, a Beijing-based analyst, according to Zichen Wang, studied the Chinese President’s references to this framework. Jinping had earlier used the term during his previous meeting with President Joe Biden in November 2024 during the APEC gathering in Peru.
Meanwhile, both Trump and Jinping hailed their talks on Friday as “historic”. The US President wrapped up his three-day visit to Beijing on a high note. Both sides, however, did not announce deals on any contentious issues .