[pc86]

So the US regards cyberattacks as acts of war if it comes from a non-nuclear country, and tomfoolery from a nuclear one?

I don't disagree with your point, simply saying that IMO the US doesn't take cyberattacks seriously precisely because it leads down a dark path with China (and probably Russia too if we're being honest).

[not2b]

It doesn't mean they don't take them seriously, it means that responding with missiles isn't an option if the other guy has the ability to massively retaliate. Other options, like sanctions or retaliating in kind, plus shoring up defenses, are a better bet. Even retaliating in kind is problematic if the result is that the Internet becomes almost unusable.

All during the Cold War the USA and USSR engaged in various kinds of low-level sabotage against each other. Fortunately for us all, it didn't escalate out of control.