We still have one trick up our sleeve which may deter Xi - the nukes on our submarines. With that as the only real tangible deterrent, it means we go straight into a nuclear exchange. Mutual destruction is still a pretty significant damper on conflict.
Elbridge Colby on the Stakes of the Biden-Xi Summit
With Biden at the helm in a world situation such as the one described, Xi would need to be distracted or lazy to refrain from acting. He is neither.
We still have one trick up our sleeve which may deter Xi - the nukes on our submarines. With that as the only real tangible deterrent, it means we go straight into a nuclear exchange. Mutual destruction is still a pretty significant damper on conflict.
On the other hand, Xi might opt to watch while the whole nation collapses, deep state and all.