Mar 10 • 14:00 UTC 🇨🇳 China South China Morning Post

From ‘love and hate’ to nationalism, can Xi and Trump rebalance ties?

Chinese scholars discuss the evolution of US-China relations under Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, noting a shift toward nationalism and the possibility of steering away from confrontation.

Chinese scholars, particularly focusing on Da Wei, the director of the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, express that the dynamics of the US-China relationship have fundamentally shifted in recent years, moving from a phase of 'love and hate' to an emphasis on nationalism. This transition, they argue, allows for a possibility of remaking ties between these two powers, despite the backdrop of strategic pullback from Washington and rising tensions surrounding the Taiwan Strait.

Da Wei highlights that the current state of US-China relations, characterized by relative stability, marks a significant departure from previous cycles of crisis and summit diplomacy that had been prevalent under past administrations. He attributes this new phase directly to the strategic retrenchment initiated by the Trump administration, which he claims has effectively dismantled the international liberalism upheld by the United States for around 80 years since the end of World War II. The implications of this adjustment are profound, suggesting that both countries may need to recalibrate their respective national aspirations and approaches to engage in more constructive dialogues moving forward.

As the world's two largest economies, China and the US have historically influenced global politics and economics. The evolving nature of their relationship, as described by experts, could either lead to potential collaborations or exacerbate existing tensions. Understanding these dynamics is crucial, especially in light of escalating conflicts globally. The landscape of international relations appears to be at a critical juncture, with the actions of both Xi and Trump playing pivotal roles in shaping the future trajectory of not just bilateral ties, but also international stability.

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