The White House has issued a directive that forbids the Defense Department to discuss the U.S. military’s interaction with China using “great power competition” and other potentially inflammatory phrases, Navy Times reported Monday.
David Larter writes the new directive from the National Security Council requires Pentagon officials to find less provocative descriptions when they talk about U.S. dealings with China.
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter used the phrase “great power of competition” in February when he described China’s footing in the Asia-Pacific region, the report said.
Larter cites sources as saying “great power competition” is an inaccurate way to describe the relations between the U.S. and China.
The report said the directive reflects a complicated relationship as the U.S. and China work together in non-military issues such as climate change.
