Even as Congress remains divided over the latest US defence bill, lawmakers in both parties remain united on one issue: China. The National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), which sets US defence policy and authorises military spending each year, reflects a broad bipartisan consensus on expanding Washington’s military, technological and economic rivalry with Beijing. The two chambers will then have to reconcile their differences before sending the legislation to US President Donald Trump for his signature. US President Donald Trump (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a state dinner in Beijing in May. Photo: APBonnie Glaser, managing director of the German Marshall Fund’s Indo-Pacific programme, said the NDAA had increasingly been used to bolster resilience against China while strengthening defence ties with allies and partners.