The big difference is that China can in fact defend itself. Unlike Iraq China is a nuclear power with a large and strong army. Starting a way with China would hurt the US very much.
Furthermore US supply chains are dependent on Chinese manufacturing. If a war disrupts the shipments of consumer goods to the US the very consumerism that is the only thing the US has to offer will no longer be possible.
I don't think US imperial bureaucrats are interested in a way with China the same way they were with Iraq. It is rather a questions of internal US politics.
The big difference is that China can in fact defend itself. Unlike Iraq China is a nuclear power with a large and strong army. Starting a way with China would hurt the US very much.
Furthermore US supply chains are dependent on Chinese manufacturing. If a war disrupts the shipments of consumer goods to the US the very consumerism that is the only thing the US has to offer will no longer be possible.
I don't think US imperial bureaucrats are interested in a way with China the same way they were with Iraq. It is rather a questions of internal US politics.