After months of back-and-forth, US-China ties have taken a cautious turn towards stability. A phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping paused what looked like a downward spiral in trade and diplomacy, setting the stage for fresh engagement.
Geneva Truce Eases Strains
During the Geneva meeting, both sides agreed to temporarily reduce tariffs by roughly 110 percent and tone down hostile rhetoric. Washington saw Beijing’s expedited rare-earth export permits as a full lift – hoping to unclog supply bottlenecks in autos, semiconductors, and aerospace. In reality, Beijing streamlined procedures while keeping its existing regulatory framework intact, leading to frustration when the US later imposed new high-tech export controls and tightened student visa rules.
Structural Challenges Ahead
Fundamental differences in negotiation styles persist. President Trump insists on direct leader-to-leader talks – earning him the reputation of being "his own China desk officer" – while Beijing prefers detailed, minister-level discussions before summitry. With the original 90-day Geneva timeline expiring, a comprehensive deal may need more time. Back in Washington, hawkish voices in Congress and the White House could still derail progress at any moment.
A Golden Opportunity for Beijing
As US policy shifts unpredictably – from withdrawing from the World Health Organization to exiting the Paris Agreement – Beijing has quietly stepped into global governance gaps. From a $500 million WHO pledge to co-founding the International Organization of Mediation, the Chinese mainland is showcasing steady leadership on health, climate, and multilateral cooperation.
The Road Ahead
Though a lasting trade resolution under the current US administration remains uncertain, the broader order is shifting. With Washington’s credibility in flux, the Chinese mainland is positioning itself as a stabilizing force – rewriting the rules of engagement by filling global voids, not through confrontation, but through consistent action.
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China-U.S. relations stabilize, but structural tensions linger
cgtn.com
