You don't launch what's essentially a sitting duck unless you expect it to be shot down.

"China should have been called to ask. If 'no,' shoot it down, if 'yes,' negotiate the greatest deal EVER!"; -Donald J. Trump making clear that he's unaware China already admitted the balloon is theirs, indicating that he'd allow it to go on its way rather than shoot it down, moronically thinking he could make a deal over a surveillance balloon that China most likely built to be, wrote off as 100% expendable the moment it left the ground.