Face-Off: The U.S. vs China THE GREATER WAGER EPISODE 5: The Break-Up
Oct 28, 2025
Discover how Nixon's ambitious strategy to engage China shaped U.S.-China relations for decades. Tensions rise as Xi Jinping's assertiveness signals a power shift. Experts discuss today’s diplomatic pitfalls and the complexities of economic reliance. With Taiwan becoming a flashpoint, fears of military confrontation loom. Can the U.S. reclaim strategic leverage like in the 1970s? The conversation navigates the challenges of collaboration on pressing global issues and reflects on Nixon's legacy of engagement over isolation.
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Early Warning From Xi On China's Rise
- Xi Jinping signaled early that China would grow assertive and expect others to adapt to its rise.
- Jane Perlez notes the clear shift from U.S. dominance to a more contested power balance.
Nixon's Gamble Reversed Over Time
- The U.S.-China relationship improved after Nixon's outreach but has since deteriorated as China regained strength.
- Perlez emphasizes that economic and military changes reshaped the relationship into a major rivalry.
Farewell Lunch That Revealed Hostility
- Jane Perlez describes a 2019 farewell lunch where a Chinese official berated the U.S. for four hours.
- The exchange crystallized for her how bitter bilateral sentiments had become.