

The Rise and Fall of US-China Engagement with David Shambaugh | China Considered | Hoover Institution
8 snips Jul 24, 2025
David Shambaugh, a renowned expert in Asian studies, discusses his latest book on the collapse of America’s engagement strategy with China. He explores how China initially captivated American interests but lost momentum post-2010. Shambaugh identifies five key perspectives shaping today’s U.S.-China policy landscape and emphasizes the shift towards comprehensive rivalry. Through his firsthand experiences and insights, he highlights the need for careful management to avoid further escalation in tensions, offering a clarity that’s crucial for understanding this complex relationship.
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Shambaugh's China Origin Story
- David Shambaugh's initial interest in China sparked during college and a trip to Hong Kong in 1960.
- He switched universities to study East Asian studies seriously after encountering China’s mystery and barriers.
Four Pillars of U.S. Engagement
- Engagement strategy had four core goals: modernize China economically, liberalize politically, integrate into the international order, and facilitate exchanges.
- Engagement tactics aimed to advance these goals through trade, education, civil society, and institutional ties.
Reagan Era: Engagement’s Peak
- The Reagan administration was the golden era of U.S.-China engagement, institutionalizing governmental and societal ties.
- Despite Reagan’s early anti-communist posture, his administration advanced policies that concretized the relationship.