The United States elected Donald Trump as its 47th president. The future of the US-China relationship under Trump has been a contentious issue. The US and China have one of the most significant bilateral partnerships in the world, which affects not only the welfare of these two but also the rest of the globe, regardless of who is in the White House. Cooperation is required in this situation and is not a choice.
With combined economic production exceeding one-third of the global total, China and the US are two of the world’s leading economic powers. American businesses have shown their commitment to collaboration by consistently increasing their investments in the Chinese market, notwithstanding the “China collapse” ideas of some anti-China hawks.
For example, in March, Apple opened its second-largest flagship store globally in Shanghai, China. Nearly 90% of the more than 70,000 American businesses invested and operated in China have done so profitably. According to the American Chamber of Commerce in China’s 2024 China Business Climate Survey Report, these businesses reported better financial success in 2023 with higher gains.
It would be simpler for Trump to achieve his peace objective if he collaborated with China, a significant Middle Eastern peacemaker.
On the other hand, confrontation is detrimental to all parties. For example, the American economy has suffered greatly due to the trade war, which has not addressed the fundamental issues that the tariff battle was intended to address.
Furthermore, the US’s unreasonable and excessive pressure on China undermines both nations and the global community’s enduring economic success and technological advancement. The impractical and detrimental strategies intended to sever ties with China have resulted in significant losses for both nations and have impacted others, destabilized the international economic and trade framework and obstructed technological advancement. The trade reciprocity and technological collaboration between the United States and China, as the foremost global economies, are advantageous for sustainable development worldwide.
Consequently, China and the United States must not undermine their mutual and enduring interests, nor should they disregard their obligations and roles in global economic recovery. President Xi has emphasized that China-U.S. relations constitute one of the most significant bilateral partnerships globally, impacting both nations’ welfare and humanity’s destiny; they should facilitate mutual progress rather than obstruct it.
Since it began in 2018, the trade war has caused significant harm to the United States. For the president-elect, if he truly wants to Make America Great Again, a practical strategy – in this case, increasing trade relations with China – is far more sensible than small-yard-high-fence protectionist measures.
In terms of diplomacy, the Washington-Beijing alliance is crucial for mediating disputes. Trump has called for an immediate halt to the war in Gaza on multiple occasions. Trump promised Americans, “You are going to have peace in the Middle East,” during his last week’s visit to a Lebanese eatery in Dearborn, Michigan. It would be simpler for Trump to achieve his peace objective if he collaborated with China, a significant Middle Eastern peacemaker.
In July, 14 Palestinian groups held reconciliation negotiations in Beijing, where top leaders signed the Beijing Declaration on Strengthening Palestinian National Unity and Ending Division, mediated by China. China made an impression on the world last year by acting as a peace broker in the diplomatic relations and reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. In this regard, a relationship between the US and China is essential to resolving Middle Eastern issues.
Furthermore, closing significant climate agreements depends on collaboration between the US and China, which generate the most greenhouse emissions globally. The two nations established their Working Group on Strengthening Climate Action in the 2020s in January of this year. US-China’s in-depth communications on energy transition, low-carbon provinces, states, and the global response to climate-changed cities are crucial.
Trump should show that collaboration is advantageous for all nations and that a zero-sum game would only result in a situation where both parties suffer multiple losses. Trump should act as a practical politician. Although there are undoubtedly significant differences between the two nations, this does not stop them from looking for a way to work together. Beijing has reaffirmed that it has no plans to take the US place or challenge it in international affairs.
Trump’s administration has created a pivotal juncture in the changing U.S.-China relationship: the decision to work together or conflict. As two of the world’s most powerful economies, the two countries are in a position to resolve urgent global concerns, such as trade disputes, conflict resolution, and climate change.
Despite ideological and policy differences, cooperation’s possible benefits greatly exceed a protracted conflict’s drawbacks. A practical strategy emphasizing shared interests and positive interaction can open the door to stability and development for both nations and the global community.
The globe now awaits Trump’s decision to embrace collaboration and move away from a zero-sum game in favour of a future of peace and prosperity for everybody.
The writer is a freelance columnist.