The importance of America's alliances in the competition with China, a U.S.-Taiwan shared agenda, and Trump's need for clear objectives in the trade war.
Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow in early May underscored the contradictions in China's foreign policy, argues Patricia Kim. Kim highlights how Xi's embrace of Putin harms Beijing's ability to capitalize on American dysfunction, maintain credibility with Europe and Asia, and ultimately be seen as a defender of international norms.
Yingyi Ma argues that today's culture of fear and suspicion against international students, especially Chinese students and researchers, undermines the U.S.'s ability to attract the top talent. Ma warns that the U.S. will suffer economic costs and undermine its global soft power by driving away foreign students.
As part of the Brookings Global China project, four leading experts were invited to interrogate whether America's alliance network is a strategic asset or burden in its competition with China. Doug Bandow, Brian Blankenship, Mireya Solís, and Thomas Wright offered their perspectives on several questions on the utility and future of America's alliances.
In Taiwan, domestic political divisions have grown, while confidence in American commitments has declined. These conditions have created fertile ground for China to pursue its strategy of "coercion without violence," explains Ryan Hass. In the face of these challenges, Hass argues that now is the time for Washington and Taipei to pursue a common agenda for shared benefit.
The United States, China, and the war in Ukraine. On Tuesday, June 3, the Brookings China Center will host 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 will focus on what role China should play, if any, in a potential ceasefire in the war in Ukraine.
“My suspicion is that Beijing sees [the 90-day truce] as a tactical retreat by the U.S. rather than a more fundamental shift away from hostility toward the Chinese Communist Party,”
Trump needs a trade strategy. Ryan Hass argues in TIME Magazine that the Trump administration must identify concrete objectives, a strategy for achieving them, and a process for negotiating with China if it wishes to move beyond stalemate in the ongoing U.S.-China trade war.
U.S.-China trade impasse. Patricia Kim explores in The Prospect Foundation how the United States and China are locked in a high-stakes trade war with no clear strategy or off-ramp, each convinced the other would blink first.
Rising risk of war in the Taiwan Strait. John Culver examines in Foreign Affairs with Brian Hart and Bonny Lin how Beijing's growing hostility towards Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, coupled with increasing PLA readiness and uncertainty around Trump's Taiwan policy, may embolden Beijing to use force.
Implications of the 90-day truce.Mary Gallagher contends in World Politics Review that the Geneva deal between the U.S. and China shows that both Trump and Xi are uncertain that their countries can "eat bitterness" and suffer the economic consequences of high tariffs.
Legal accountability in China's private sector. Jamie Horsley comments in NPC Observer on how the final version of China's new Private Economy Promotion Law offers symbolic support for private businesses but lacks new substantive protections or government accountability measures.
U.S.-China trade standoff.Susan Thornton dissects in Project Syndicate why Washington and Beijing were reluctant to negotiate a trade deal, even though escalating tariffs could devastate both economies.
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.
The Brookings Institution, 1775 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington,DC, 20036
