US-China Rivalry on the Korean Peninsula The Economic and Political Dimensions

Abstract

     This research examines the escalating rivalry between the United States of America and the People's Republic of China on the Korean Peninsula, focusing specifically on the economic and political dimensions. The study aims to analyze the nature of this competition, its tools, and its impact on regional stability, both regarding North Korea (nuclear file and sanctions) and South Korea (security and economic alliances). The study hypothesizes that the economic and political refinery between Washington and Beijing deepens the Korean division and complicates regional conflict resolution, transforming the peninsula into a geopolitical arena for polarization. It also highlights American strategies aimed to containing Chinese influence, in contrast to China’s efforts to strengthen its political and economic presence in the region. The research employs an analytical approach to understand how the two great powers utilize their trade, investment, military, and diplomatic tools to advance their influence at the expense of the other. It concludes that the Korean Peninsula represents a pivotal strategic arena for competition between Washington and Beijing, impacting  regional security  and international balances, and that this competition is not merely a struggle for influence but a fundamental factor shaping the security and economic dynamics for Northeast Asia.