Matt Turpin, China NSC Director in the Trump administration, discusses US-China relations post APEC. Topics include realistic expectations for bilateral diplomacy, necessary ingredients for effective policymaking, concerns about a second Trump administration, and the importance of foundations sponsoring ChinaTalk for better insights on China.
Efficient reading apps like InstaPaper and Pocket can enhance the reading experience and centralize reading materials in one place.
Leadership talks between the US and China should not overshadow engagement with other countries and their interests.
Establishing military dialogue channels may not effectively reduce the risk of conflict, and it is crucial for high-level relations to be managed by designated leaders at the state-to-state level.
Deep dives
Importance of Effective Reading Apps
Using efficient reading apps like InstaPaper and Pocket can improve the reading experience and help users centralize their reading materials. However, Matter, a modern reader and podcast capture alternative, offers a cleaner and more streamlined experience. It allows users to access articles, newsletters, and podcasts in one place, even offering the option to highlight podcasts. This app particularly benefits individuals with vision issues, offering synthesized voices for a better listening experience.
Importance of Leader-to-Leader Dialogue
Leadership talks between countries like the US and China are crucial for exchanging ideas, trading views, and building relationships. However, it is essential to maintain perspective and understand that the US should not solely focus on Sino-American relations. The US has broader interests in the region and the world, and leaders should engage with other countries as well. It is important not to treat the relationship between the US and China as a G2 partnership, but rather recognize that other countries have a voice in shaping global rules and influence.
Military Dialogue and Risk Reduction
Military dialogue between countries like the US and China is often seen as a way to manage crises and reduce the risk of accidental conflict. However, it is crucial to understand that wars are not accidental but intentional decisions made by both sides. While accidents can happen, they do not usually lead to war because both sides have an interest in avoiding it. Establishing dialogue channels, such as hotlines, may not effectively reduce the risk of conflict. It is important for military headquarters to focus on interactions with allies, as high-level relations should be managed by designated leaders at the state-to-state level.
Xi Jinping's Shift in Approach to Taiwan
Xi Jinping's shift in approach to Taiwan is discussed, indicating a move from deterring Taiwanese independence to a strategy of compelling reunification. This shift has implications for U.S.-China relations and the need for the United States to adjust to this change in approach.
Challenges in Understanding Chinese Technology and Missile Systems
The podcast delves into the challenges faced by the U.S. government in understanding Chinese technology and missile systems. The relative emphasis on understanding the PLA compared to technical understanding of Chinese technology is discussed as a potential barrier to effective policymaking. The need for a better understanding of supply chains, commercial relationships, and value chains is highlighted.
Matt Turpin, China NSC Director in the Trump administration currently at Hoover and Palantir, comes on to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of US-China relations coming out of APEC. We get into:
Realistic expectations for bilateral US-China diplomacy
What are the necessary ingredients for coherent and effective policymaking
What Matt expects and worries about from a second Trump administration
Why foundations and corporations should sponsor ChinaTalk!