Understanding U.S.-China Relations

The current relationship between the United States and China is characterized as a systemic rivalry, suggesting significant competition that is more intense than mere rivalry. This perspective emphasizes that both nations are not just competing but are engaged in a complex geopolitical struggle where each views the other as a primary obstacle to their ambitions. The dialogue reflects a shift from the U.S.'s earlier policy of strategic engagement, which aimed to integrate China into the global order, to a recognition of China's long-term aim of asserting itself as a global power. This transition highlights fundamental ideological differences between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party, particularly in governance and international relations.