Asia Times | The future of Sino-US relations



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Relations between China and the United States took a new turn when US President Donald Trump suspended Sino-US trade talks and decided to raise tariffs on Chinese products. In addition, the US House of Representatives pbaded two bills calling for the normalization of arms sales to Taiwan, the resumption of negotiations on US-Taiwanese trade agreements, and support for Taiwan's role in international organizations. These two incidents happened a short time later, so it seemed that the US government and Congress were putting pressure on China together.

Does Trump's policy in China have a big change? Has the US Congress reached an internal agreement on its policy in China? Will the Congress play the "Taiwan" card? How should China react?

First, although these initiatives seemed unexpected, Trump's policy towards China has not changed at all. Trump still acts as "president of business" and keeps changing his mind to attract eyes.

Trump will not hesitate to put pressure on China if it can help create jobs and increase its popularity. In fact, China should be happy to see that. As long as the problems relate to trade and business, China should actively respond. It appeared that Trump had taken all these measures only for his election campaign, since the third year of the presidency is often considered a year conducive to political success.

Secondly, the United States has not yet reached consensus on its policy towards China. The latest move in the House of Representatives may have been orchestrated by some political elites who want to challenge Trump. The two US forces affecting China's US policy are the anti-Chinese faction led by US Vice President Mike Pence and the US Congress. They are mainly responsible for raising problems to deal with China.

The Taiwan bill that has just been adopted is a key example. It's the most powerful card, but also the most risky, ever played by the United States.

This may have already had the opposite effect on Trump, apparently used to undermine Trump's business gains and prevent him from winning another term. The American political elites know clearly that China has no leeway to compromise on the Taiwan issue, which is linked to China's national interests.

And for that reason, the Taiwan bill that was adopted could be a pure wishful thinking of some political elites in the United States. The bill can not strengthen Taiwan's security and stability along the Taiwan Strait, but heighten tensions between Taiwan and China, causing a huge conflict between China and the United States.

It has been 40 years since China and the United States established diplomatic relations. Relationships have long been asymmetrical, with the United States in a strong and aggressive position, while China remains relatively weak and pbadive.

However, China's development could have repercussions on its relations over the years. For example, China's decision to open its economy in 1978 was followed by the establishment of Sino-US relations in 1979. Since the financial crisis of 2008, the two countries have begun cooperation within China. of the G20. China has been seen as playing an active role in building Sino-US relations and can still do the same this time to strengthen Sino-US relations.

In summary, Trump represents a potential for Sino-US negotiations. The anti-China faction in the US Congress is the faction China should be wary of. They played the "3T" cards, which refer to Taiwan, Tibet and trade, but they are doomed to fail. Modern China is no longer the old. There are many links between the two superpowers that can not be easily cut. If relations between the two sides deteriorate, it would be a disaster for the whole world.

This article was first published on ATimesCN.com and has been translated by Kamaran Malik.

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