What’s the best case scenario for US-China relations?
Aug 14, 2023
auto_awesome
Ryan Hass, newly appointed director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution, discusses the state of US-China relations under the Biden administration, the impact of domestic politics on the competition, and envisions a positive future focused on cooperation and solving future problems.
The John Elthorton China Center at the Brookings Institution aims to provide an integrated understanding of China's actions and its impact on the world and American interests through research on various perspectives and fields of study.
The recent signs of slight improvement in U.S.-China relations under the Biden administration may lead to a long-term improvement, but uncertainties remain as the trajectory of the relationship will be influenced by the leaders' upcoming meeting in November.
Deep dives
The Key Focus Areas of the John Elthorton China Center
The John Elthorton China Center at the Brookings Institution aims to study China from various perspectives and draw expertise from different fields, such as climate, clean energy, public health, trade, economics, and security. The center seeks to form an integrated understanding of China's actions and its impact on the world and American interests. They aim to foster a lively debate and avoid preconceived outcomes in their research.
Current State of U.S.-China Relations
U.S.-China relations have recently shown signs of slight improvement as both President Xi and President Biden have incentives to lower tensions for their own interests. While efforts are being made to stabilize the relationship, it remains uncertain whether this will lead to a long-term improvement or merely a temporary respite. The two leaders are expected to meet again in November, which could provide further insights on the trajectory of the relationship.
The Taiwan Issue and Its Impact on U.S.-China Relations
The United States' approach to Taiwan has been marked by moments of inconsistency and uncertainty, causing unease in Taipei. However, in recent months, the Biden administration has exhibited more discipline and confidence in its Taiwan policy, emphasizing that conflict is not inevitable. While both sides aim to avoid any escalations, the risk of instability in the Taiwan Strait primarily stems from China's potential aggressive measures rather than Taiwan's pursuit of independence. The Russian invasion of Ukraine could influence China's approach, potentially encouraging China to be more adventurous or cautious in the Taiwan issue.
Ryan Hass, newly appointed director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution, talks with host David Dollar about the themes and ideas the China Center will be focusing on in the next few years. Hass also reviews the state of U.S.-China relations under the Biden administration, how domestic politics—including Taiwan’s—matter in the U.S.-China competition, and his vision of a best case scenario for U.S.-China relations in the coming decade.