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In October of last semester, I had the opportunity to attending the 76th Student Conference on U.S. Affairs (SCUSA) at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Each year, SCUSA is organized around a defining theme, and this year’s focus was The Foundations and Future of America’s Global Power and Influence. The conference delegation was divided into several roundtable groups, each centered on a specific policy issue, and my group focused on U.S. policy toward China.
China presents a particularly complex challenge in U.S. foreign policy. One of the most significant obstacles is the ideological divide between the U.S.’s capitalist economic system and China’s communist political ideology. Although China’s economy no longer operates as a fully communist system, as it allows citizens to lease land and operate private firms, the state continues to exert control over key industries and retains ownership of all land. China also plays a central role in the global economy, having one of the world’s largest economies and contributing to the U.S. trade deficit. Additionally, China’s dominance in the supply chain of rare earth minerals presents a strategic concern, as these materials are essential to modern technology and national defense.
Beyond its domestic structure, China has expanded its influence far beyond its borders, particularly in countries across the Global South through the Belt and Road Initiative. This region has historically been exploited for its labor and natural resources, and is increasingly shifting away from dependence on Western Europe and the United States. Through infrastructure investment, development loans, and trade agreements, China has positioned itself as an alternative economic and political partner.
These dynamics served as the foundation for our roundtable’s policy paper. Our group agreed that two of the most critical components of maintaining U.S. power and influence are securing reliable access to rare earth minerals and increasing the number of American students studying in China. My roundtable proposed developing a rare earth mineral stockpile that may be easily accessed when trade relations between the U.S. and China are strained, such as the export ban that was set in place of April 2025. Currently, many Chinese students pursue education in the United States, gaining exposure to American culture, values, and academic institutions. Expanding opportunities for American students to study in China would help foster mutual understanding and give future policymakers with firsthand knowledge of Chinese society and governance.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed my experience at SCUSA. Having previously participated in a roundtable policy conference through SCONA at Texas A&M University, the fast-paced schedule and tight deadline felt manageable. We were given around two and a half days to conduct research and finalize our policy proposal, which encouraged collaboration and efficient decision-making. In addition to the academic work, we spent time touring the campus and learning about daily life for cadets at West Point, which added a unique dimension to the conference.
Keely is a McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville in the Class of 2028. She is studying political science and sustainability.