SINCE the inauguration of Donald Trump in 2016, the relationship between the United States and China has been marked by persistent challenges and a notable lack of consistent communication. Efforts to address these issues under President Biden’s Administration in 2023 led to a summit between Biden and Xi, yet significant progress on key issues such as trade, human rights and Taiwan remained elusive.
At the heart of the strained relationship lies a deep-seated mutual distrust, fuelled by conflicting perceptions of each other’s intentions. While the US views China as its primary rival and seeks to contain its power, China perceives the US as its greatest threat and endeavours to assert its influence. This zero-sum mindset has perpetuated a cycle of mistrust and antagonism, exacerbated by the breakdown of communication channels that began towards the end of the Obama Administration and worsened during Trump’s tenure.
Despite political divisions within the United States, a tough stance on China remains a rare point of bipartisan agreement. This consensus has translated into a series of policies aimed at countering China’s growing influence, including restrictions on visas for Chinese students and scholars, which have significantly reduced the presence of Confucius Institutes promoting Chinese language and culture. In response, China has implemented measures making it difficult for Americans to travel to the country, resulting in a substantial exodus of Chinese scientists trained in the US.
The breakdown in communication extends beyond official channels to people-to-people exchanges, further deepening the divide between the two nations. Efforts to mend relations, such as rescheduled diplomatic visits, have been marred by misunderstandings and unresolved tensions. Despite some diplomatic gestures, including Secretary Yellen’s attempts to ease economic tensions, fundamental disagreements persist, particularly regarding technology and climate change.
The 2023 Biden-Xi Summit in San Francisco offered a glimmer of hope for de-escalating tensions, with agreements reached on issues such as reducing methane emissions and combating drug trafficking. However, the summit failed to address underlying issues, and past promises have often gone unfulfilled, leaving both sides wary of each other’s intentions.
Fundamental disagreements, such as US support for free navigation in the Pacific versus China’s territorial claims, pose significant obstacles to de-escalation efforts. President Biden faces pressure to maintain a tough stance on China, both politically and strategically, while President Xi accuses the US of containment and strengthens ties with Russia.
Despite the challenges, there are opportunities for strategic cooperation between the US and China that should not be overlooked. President Biden’s commitment to preventing accidental conflicts and reviving communication channels is a step in the right direction. However, China remains skeptical of US intentions and calls for concrete actions to accompany diplomatic rhetoric.
Moving forward, constant interaction and communication between the US and China are imperative to navigating the complexities of their relationship. Both nations must move beyond their zero-sum mindset and prioritize finding common ground, as the stability of the global order depends on their ability to coexist and cooperate effectively.
—The writer is PhD candidate in IR at the School of Integrated Social Sciences, University of Lahore.
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