In a collection of short essays, a multidisciplinary group of Brookings scholars forecast how AI will affect U.S.-China relations over the next five years. From nuclear safeguards to disinformation threats, ten experts explore how AI will shape new global norms, national security, domestic infrastructure, and public diplomacy.
Mary Gallagher examines how Beijing used its dominance in rare earths as leverage over the Trump administration in the London-based trade talks. She argues that China's willingness to weaponize rare earths highlights the need for U.S. domestic capacity and a more strategic approach to industrial policy.
Ryan Hass argues that despite growing cynicism in Washington and Beijing, Trump’s belief that he will succeed in securing new deals with Xi keeps the door open for potentially productive negotiations on trade, security, and law enforcement. Hass contends that success will depend on a clear agenda and a shift from public posturing to pragmatic diplomacy.
Last month, Beijing launched the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), a new international institution focused on dispute mediation, primarily for Global South countries. Yun Sun analyzes how IOMed reflects China’s ambitions to reform global governance, but the institution's legitimacy and effectiveness remain uncertain.
Patricia Kim, Ambassador R. Nicholas Burns, and Jonathan Czin
The United States, China, and the war in Ukraine. On June 3, the Brookings China Center hosted a fireside chat with former U.S. Ambassador to China (2021-2025) and former U.S. Ambassador to NATO (2001-2005) R. Nicholas Burns. Introduced by Suzanne Maloney and moderated by Jonathan Czin and Patricia Kim, the conversation focused on what role China should play, if any, in a potential ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. This event was covered by the South China Morning Post.
“This cat-and-mouse game keeps the United States from making any headway toward addressing any of the underlying U.S. concerns about China’s unfair nonmarket policies.”
Trump's vision of world order. Ryan Hass assesses in Taipei Times whether President Trump seeks to divide the world into spheres of influence.
Debating Chinese overcapacity. Mary Gallagher challenges in World Politics Review Beijing's dismissal of overcapacity concerns by drawing on China's own history of dealing with excessive competition and overcapacity during its economic reforms in the 1990s.
U.S.-China relations under Trump.Ryan Hass is interviewed by South China Morning Post on how he views the future of U.S.-China relations during the second Trump administration, including the chance of a Trump-Xi meeting, the trade war, Trump's overall foreign policy strategy, and more.
China's interests in the Middle East. Yun Sun contributes to a collection of essays on China's relations with Iran and overall region in light of Israel's strikes on Iran.
Procedure changes in the State Council. Jamie Horsley examines in China Law Translate China's proposed revisions to the State Council's rulemaking procedures and finds they reflect broader efforts to align legislative priorities with the Party and State Council policy agendas.
About the China Center at Brookings
The John L. Thornton China Center develops timely, independent analysis and policy recommendations to address long-standing challenges related to U.S.-China relations and China's development.
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