Tobita Chow and Jake Werner talk about a progressive US policy towards China, considering tankies, authoritarianism, imperialism, and a potential Biden presidency. They emphasize the importance of opposing war, respecting labor, and prioritizing progressive values, while also exploring the complexity of imperialism and the need for a radical rethink under the Biden administration. Furthermore, they discuss promoting a message of international cooperation, unity on the progressive left, and provide music and book recommendations.
Prioritizing labor rights and reducing the power of capital are essential in formulating a progressive US policy towards China.
A worldwide shift towards authoritarianism and the impact of racial hierarchies influence US-China relations and necessitate a nuanced understanding of China.
Promoting progressive globalization that addresses labor rights, climate change, and poverty can contribute to resolving tensions between the US and China.
Deep dives
Promoting Progressive Foreign Policy
In a Cinecom podcast episode, Tobita Chow and Jake Werner discuss the need for a progressive foreign policy towards China. They emphasize the importance of global cooperation in areas like climate change, public health, and global development. They argue for prioritizing labor rights, reducing the power of capital, and addressing global challenges collaboratively. They also highlight the impact of racism and racial hierarchies on US-China relations, promoting a more nuanced understanding of China and advocating for unity and solidarity between people in the US and China.
Challenges of American Progressives and China Policy
Tobita Chow and Jake Werner acknowledge the complexity of American progressive perspectives on China. They note disagreements among progressives regarding economic protectionism, trade ties with China, and approaches to human rights issues. They caution against defending authoritarian regimes, but also stress the need for global solidarity, prioritizing key progressive values, and working towards transformative changes in the US-China relationship to address global challenges.
Creating an Alternative to Escalating Conflict
Tobita Chow and Jake Werner propose the concept of 'progressive globalization' as an alternative to the current escalating conflict between the US and China. They advocate for a form of globalization that addresses issues of labor rights, climate change, and global poverty. They emphasize the importance of international cooperation, shared interests, and deepening connections between working-class people in the US and China. They also highlight the significance of changing narratives and countering anti-China sentiment within the progressive movement.
Messaging Strategies and Research
Tobita Chow and Jake Werner discuss efforts to promote their ideas about China policy within the progressive community. They highlight the importance of developing messaging strategies that focus on the benefits of international cooperation, unity, and achieving common goals. They suggest working with other organizations on issues like climate change to build a united front. They also discuss ongoing research and the need to humanize understanding of China and overcome biases and stereotypes.
Race, Global Relations, and Misconceptions
Tobita Chow and Jake Werner explore the connection between race in the United States and the country's global position, particularly in relation to China. They discuss the impact of racial hierarchy within the global economy and the role of anti-Chinese racism in shaping attitudes towards China. They highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of China and call for efforts to combat racism and promote global solidarity among different racial and national groups.
This week on Sinica, Kaiser chats with Tobita Chow and Jake Werner about what a progressive U.S. policy toward China should look like. Tobita is the director of Justice Is Global, a special project of People’s Action that is building a movement to create a more just and sustainable global economy and defeat right-wing nationalism around the world. Jake is a Postdoctoral Global China Research Fellow at Boston University's Global Development Policy Center. He is currently researching the emergence of great power conflict between the U.S. and China following the 2008 financial crisis and how new strategies for global development could resolve those tensions. The three talk about whether the “tankies” bring anything to the conversation, whether a Biden presidency is likely to move U.S. policy off the current trajectory toward conflict with China, and how human rights should be considered in drafting progressive China policy.
3:58: Much ado about tankies
13:10: A worldwide shift toward authoritarianism
28:44: Imperialism — it’s complicated
33:31: Thoughts on a potential Joe Biden presidency