Allah Nawaz Khan
US President Donald Trump has completed his three-day state visit to China and has now returned. During the visit, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held discussions on bilateral trade, the global economy, and other important issues. Both leaders agreed to improve strategic relations.
At present, both countries are recognized as the world’s two major powers. America’s position is stronger compared to China. Heads of states routinely visit other countries, but this visit by the US President holds special significance because the United States and China have almost always been opponents of each other.
Trade relations were particularly affected when the US President imposed very high tariffs on many countries around the world. Apart from trade, diplomatic and other relations between China and the US were also not good. This visit by the US President took place at a time when tensions between the US and Iran had risen significantly. There is a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran, but the possibility of war breaking out at any time remains.
The US President stated that President Xi does not want Iran to possess nuclear weapons and that he also supports keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. These statements suggest that the US President visited China to gain its support. The US President also claimed that China would purchase oil and other products from the United States. China will open its markets in phases to increase trade.
China is advancing rapidly in modern technology and is also manufacturing advanced military equipment. Therefore, it needs markets to sell its goods. If China expands its trade relations with other countries, the United States could lose its dominance.
Fundamental Differences
Basic differences between China and the US cannot be resolved immediately. The biggest point of contention between the two countries is Taiwan. China claims that Taiwan is part of its territory. It is possible that after this visit, the US may become silent on the Taiwan issue.
In addition to the trade imbalance, regional influence is also a cause of differences. There are disagreements between the two countries on international matters as well. These differences cannot be resolved overnight, but some progress can be made.
Just as America is trying to prevent China from cooperating with Iran, China wants the US to remain silent on the Taiwan issue. American global dominance is also a problem for China. If China continues to develop at the current pace, it will acquire global dominance in some time.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that cooperation should be preferred over confrontation. Xi’s statement is a clear indication that compromises can be made on some issues.
Concerns for Other Countries
The alliance between these two powers is also worrying for many countries. For example, India will not want relations between these two countries to improve. There is already hostility between China and India. If China and the US strengthen strategic ties, India will feel threatened. It is possible that the US has already taken India into confidence. In any case, India will not want any increase in defense relations between the US and its rival China.
Similarly, leaders of many other states do not want strong unity between the two countries. Powers like Russia and China are also a threat to the United States. The biggest danger is that the BRICS currency could be expanded in the market against the dollar. China and Russia can also form an alliance similar to NATO, which the US would not like.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s visit cannot be called an ordinary one. Perhaps the US may not achieve all the objectives it had hoped for from this visit. However, quite a lot can still be gained because China also needs markets, and tensions with the US will decrease.
The biggest objective of this visit may be to stop China from cooperating with Iran in any way. If the Taiwan issue is resolved, China’s biggest problem will be solved. Xi Jinping clearly stated that Taiwan is the most important issue in China-US relations and that differences over it can lead to conflict or confrontation.
It is possible that the Taiwan issue remains as it is and China does not attempt to take control of Taiwan. If China shows any activity to gain control of Taiwan, the US can become an obstacle, and such activity could turn into a major war. If the US chooses silence, then relations between China and the US could take an ideal turn.
Nevertheless, both countries can go to war with each other for global dominance as well. The more likely scenario is that trade and economic relations will improve, but a Cold War atmosphere will continue to persist.
