Building walls mentality will only lead to confrontation: China Daily editorial

Although it is said to be beyond the Pentagon's technical and scientific capacity, which is what grounded most of Reagan administration's “Star Wars” initiative, some people might ask what it is wrong with US President Donald Trump talking about building an impenetrable missile shield to defend all US territory from ballistic missile threats.

But such an anti-ballistic missile defense system can be compared to a wall in the space, and is yet another manifestation of the philosophy behind all the policies his administration has put forward and implemented on all fronts — hunkering down behind walls.

When it comes to trade with other countries, even with its allies, his administration has built a wall of tariffs as a barrier to prevent imports from other countries. And he insists on building a wall on the border with Mexico.

Instead of stepping out to engage with the international community, his administration is trying to hide the United States behind walls, in the belief that it is making the US an impenetrable fortress. In doing so it feels safe and superior not having to get along with anyone else, and so it is quite happy to lob stones over the walls.

When it comes to Trump's plan of missile defense system which is envisioned as being able to detect and destroy every type of missile attack against any US target, it is obvious that it is targeted at Russia and China, as clarified in the 81-page Missile Defense Review that was released by the Pentagon.

Given that the US is very likely to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which was signed by the US and Soviet Union in 1987, the US is clearly trying to adopt a confrontational approach in handling of relations with Russia and China.

With the Trump administration pushing too hard on all fronts without leaving room for talks, it is not hard to imagine how Russia and China will have to act in response. And it is very likely that a new round of arms race will start.

Given that some US strategists view the arms race the Reagan administration instigated with the Soviet Union as being the reason for the Soviet bloc's breakup, and given that the Reagan administration seems to have written the playbook for the current administration, the intent is clear.

But things are not as they were then.

The Trump administration should heed the adage about being careful what you wish for, before trying to create another Cold War.

Certainly, such a scenario is the last thing the majority of countries and people around the world would like to see.