CISS Podcast
Rick Waters on China-U.S. Relations
Oct 11, 2024
Rick Waters, Managing Director of Eurasia Group's China Practice and former State Department China coordinator, dives into the complex dynamics of China-U.S. relations. He emphasizes the importance of Track Two dialogues in overcoming political constraints. Waters reflects on his early experiences as a junior diplomat during China's economic transformation leading up to its WTO accession. The discussion also covers the creation of the 'China House' in the State Department and the critical need for clear communication to prevent crises as global tensions rise.
28:51
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Quick takeaways
- The U.S. and China seek to stabilize their relationship through informal dialogues despite political pressures that complicate official communication.
- The outcome of the upcoming U.S. elections could significantly influence key issues like trade and fentanyl in China-U.S. policy.
Deep dives
Stabilizing the China-U.S. Relationship
Both the U.S. and China have a genuine desire to stabilize their bilateral relationship despite the challenging circumstances. The complexity of the relationship is heightened by political pressures that often strain official channels of communication, especially in critical areas like strategic discussions and law enforcement. Even without ideal conditions, informal dialogues, such as track two dialogues, provide channels for communication that can help manage the relationship. Mr. Waters emphasizes the importance of these dialogues by illustrating how extended discussions can lead to a deeper understanding of each side's positions, particularly in high-stakes scenarios.
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