One Decision Ex-US Ambassador to Beijing on Trump's China Plan
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May 15, 2025 Nicholas Burns, former U.S. Ambassador to China and a Harvard Kennedy School professor, joins the hosts for a deep dive into U.S.-China dynamics. They unpack the recent tariff negotiations and the delicate balance of cooperation and competition. Burns shares his insights on negotiating with Xi Jinping and the implications of foreign gifts, such as a Qatari jet. The conversation also touches on the decline of American soft power and its global repercussions, along with entertaining tales from his time on Air Force One.
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China Surpasses Soviet Threat
- China's threat today surpasses the old Soviet Union's due to its economic, technological, and military powers.
- Xi Jinping's China is a far stronger adversary than the Soviet Union was, requiring serious attention.
Tariffs Impact Jobs and Trade
- The US-China tariff conflict risks major economic disruption due to historically high tariffs.
- Despite trade frictions, decoupling economies would damage millions of jobs and the global economy.
Trade War Risks US Credibility
- Trump's extreme tariffs confused and hurt global markets, weakening US credibility.
- A lack of clear strategy in trade tactics risks reducing America's leadership globally.