"The differences between the United States and China on political, economic, ideological, technological, and security issues are real. They can and must be managed through dialogue, but we can't pretend that we simply have a communications problem." Jeffrey Bader describes the principal challenges in the bilateral relationship and how the two countries could avoid a new Cold War.
The United States and China signed the phase one trade deal back in January, which President Trump called "the biggest deal ever seen." Ryan Hass and Abe Denmark argue that neither the trade deal, nor the trade war that precipitated it, have delivered the desired results.
Last month Rush Doshi appeared before the Senate Subcommittee on Security, saying that "China is pursuing a robust, state-backed effort to displace the United States from global technology leadership...Beijing believes that the competition over technology is about...which country will be best positioned to lead the world."
Cheng Li and James Haynes write in The Hill that the United States and China have a window of opportunity to make diplomatic inroads through international cooperation on building a supply chain for COVID-19 vaccines.
How is COVID-19 affecting U.S. trade? Anna Newby interviewed David Dollar on the Dollar & Sense podcast to discuss how the recession will alter the U.S. trade deficit and the phase one trade deal with China, and the likelihood that American companies will begin reshoring their manufacturing and value chains.
Ending the COVID-19 blame game.Jamie Horsley argues that "the blame game" between the United States and China has surpassed valid criticisms of both countries' responses. The best way forward is for the United States and China to "call a truce and work together through diplomatic and private channels to develop effective COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines."
How Tsai’s steadiness can set the tone in the Taiwan Strait. As the U.S.-China relationship deteriorates, tensions in the Taiwan Strait are heating up. Ryan Hass says that avoiding a crisis situation will require consistent communication.
Will the U.S.-China trade deal be implemented amid COVID-19? After the bilateral trade deal review was indefinitely postponed earlier this month, David Dollar said on CNBC that "I think it's in the interest of the two parties to have a little more time." He added that President Donald Trump does not want to "rip off the deal" at this time: "It's not in his interest to have a review that things are not going well as he wants this to look like a foreign policy victory."
About the China Center
The John L. Thornton China Centerdevelops timely, independent analysis and policy recommendations to help U.S. and Chinese leaders address key long-term challenges, both in terms of U.S.-China relations and China's internal development.
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