In today’s world, China and the United States are two of, if not the top two, most influential countries in the world. President Trump of the United States and President Xi Jinping of China have both expressed a desire for greatness and further growth of their respective countries, ideals, and goals in today’s globalized world. However, the two countries’ ideologies are vastly different and work toward opposing goals, resulting in tension and fear. Some experts would go as far as to say that the two countries are in “a new Cold War,” as stated by historian Niall Ferguson. Tensions have been exacerbated since the election of President Trump. The United States under Trump is focused on an America First policy, including tighter border protection and increased security; in contrast, China is focused on global cooperation and a sense of international community—two things that Trump’s administration seems to have no commitment toward. However, both countries have recently seen a “yearning for greatness again,” as stated by AP News. This longing for greatness will likely result in further increased tension and confrontation between the countries, as their ideas of greatness directly contradict each other. 

China and the United States have long been at odds in terms of ideology and goals. This tension and alienation between the two states is nothing new—it predates the Cold War. Economic ties are the biggest, and oftentimes only, cooperation between the United States and China, though China practices a state-led economic model while the United States has a free market economy. There are many areas of tension between the two countries, including issues regarding Taiwan, the South China Sea, cybersecurity, and human rights. Additionally, China operates under a one-party system whose practices often cause concern and criticism from Western, democratic countries like the United States.

One of the biggest risks, and the biggest threat of military confrontation, comes from China’s activities in East Asia, including Taiwan and their navigation of the South China Sea. While the United States needs to protect the sovereignty of foreign nations, it also cannot engage in direct war with China. The United States has not directly acted in favor of Taiwan in the past, though it has supplied them with arms. Military aid to Taiwan is unlikely to continue under President Trump, as he has repeatedly stated his objection to U.S. involvement in foreign wars. However, the United States continues to keep naval ships in the Taiwan Strait, an activity that China frowns upon and has cited as a security risk.

The United States claims to be a champion of human rights and often cites this as one of its biggest issues with China. Despite this, President Trump in his previous term ignored China’s imprisonment of Uyghurs in internment camps because, as he claimed in a 2020 Axios interview, he was “in the middle of a major trade deal” with China. The Trump administration did not take action against China’s internment of Uyghurs until Trump’s last day in office, when Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared that China’s actions against the Uyghurs constituted genocide. Based on its timing, a statement like this would not hurt Trump’s negotiations with China, only those of the incoming President Biden. On that note, it is clear that human rights and democracy are not President Trump’s main concerns with regard to China, which raises concerns about what his priorities will be in his second term. That said, China’s censorship and lack of free press has also been a source of concern in the United States, oftentimes because it touts anti-American propaganda. Since President Trump seems to be considering increased censorship in the United States, especially regarding the speech of protestors on college campuses, anti-American propaganda is clearly a concern of his, which is something that he may be encouraged to act on regarding China.

Moving forward, better cooperation between the countries and a balanced approach are necessary to ensure peace, not only for China and the United States, but all other countries in which they hold influence. Instead of focusing on their differences, the two countries should focus on their similarities, specifically goal-oriented similarities. The economic ties between the two countries are essential for both Chinese and American consumers, and should not be put at risk by either party. For example, nearly 90% of all prescriptions filled in the United States utilize ingredients supplied by China, according to the New York Times, and increased tariffs will make already expensive and hard-to-obtain medications even pricier. The economic cooperation between the countries is longstanding, but has recently been threatened by Trump’s imposition of tariffs, which are being matched with tariffs by China on U.S. goods.  

President Trump’s administration should prioritize global cooperation, as it is one of the simplest ways to ensure American security. Further, China and the United States should cooperate in a geopolitical context, working together to invest in and build up developing countries instead of competing with each other in these underdeveloped countries. Though President Trump is not interested in globalization, if the United States does not reprise its role in the global context, China is the most likely candidate to fill this void. This would even further increase China’s cultural and economic influence, something that many United States officials have feared for years. 

An essential step in maintaining peaceful relationships is an increase in diplomatic engagement. Leaders in China and the United States should have regular diplomatic meetings and visits to discuss their relationship as well as other global politics. Even through disagreements, this is possible and absolutely necessary. Both sides will need to make concessions and compromises to ensure peace and growth in relations between the countries. However, they do not need to agree on everything, and can maintain differing ideologies while still remaining diplomatic partners. 

Finally, concessions need to be made militarily. A more diplomatic relationship should come with diplomatic meetings between military officials, specifically regarding areas like the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait where a simple misunderstanding could result in all-out war. An open dialogue regarding the military will increase trust and uphold peace, and an increase in trust could result in arms control or non-proliferation discussions, which are essential for maintaining world peace.

Though no one knows what the relationship between China and America will look like even a month from now, peace between two of the world’s biggest economies is essential, not just to Chinese people and American people, but to the world as a whole. Peace can, and should, be maintained through increased diplomatic relations, compromises, and increased economic ties.