I think you are conflating various parties and ignore the simple fact that we are explicitly not in Obama administration ( the "machine" comment notwithstanding ). If there is one thing, one should have learned from the past three years, that executive powers has been largely consolidated in the hands of one person.

Now, I do think you have a point about entrenched bureaucracy and China 'planners' ( but the same is true for Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and a number of other advisors trying to push their pet agenda ); they may be a part of the branch, but the president, for better or worse, is its head ).

In a sense, US has gotten really 'lucky' with Covid. Here is a good propaganda reason to get people and the world against China. And yet, notice how varied the reaction was to the president's approach ( also for varying reasons ).

To say it is all part of a long term strategy is to ignore how chaotic it has been thus far.