Trump and China aim for future cooperation despite strained relations over COVID and trade
\n beijing
\nChina\u2019s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, expressed hope on Tuesday that the incoming Trump administration would \u201cmake the right choice\u201d and work with China in a mutually beneficial manner, addressing disruptions and overcoming obstacles.
\nThis statement came hours after President-elect Donald Trump discussed his strained relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic as a key factor.
\n\u201cWe hope the new U.S. administration will make the right choice and work with China in a mutually beneficial manner to remove disruptions and overcome obstacles,\u201d Wang Yi said during a forum in Beijing. The remarks were a response to Trump\u2019s comments made earlier during his first news conference since his election victory six weeks ago.
\nTrump had referred to Xi as a \u201cfriend\u201d but noted that the relationship had become strained due to the pandemic.
\n\u201cWe had a very good relationship until COVID,\u201d Trump said, adding, \u201cCOVID didn\u2019t end the relationship, but it was a bridge too far for me.\u201d Trump\u2019s comments were made during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where he was asked whether Xi would attend his inauguration. He emphasized that while their relationship had soured, he still considered Xi a friend.
\nFollowing Joe Biden\u2019s inauguration in January 2021, China expressed its willingness to cooperate with the new U.S. administration. However, it also imposed sanctions on former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and 27 other top officials from the Trump administration, who had been involved in key policies towards China.
\nAhead of Trump\u2019s return to the White House, both the U.S. and China have been setting out their positions. Trump\u2019s first term resulted in a trade war with China, which disrupted global supply chains, raised inflation, and increased borrowing costs.
\nHe has indicated that his policy toward China will continue with renewed efforts, including a pledge to impose an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods to pressure China to curb fentanyl trafficking into the U.S.
\nTrump has also signaled intentions to end China\u2019s most-favored-nation trading status and impose tariffs exceeding 60% on Chinese imports, much higher than the tariffs implemented during his first term. In response, China is reportedly looking to amass bargaining chips to engage in talks with the U.S. on contentious issues such as trade, investment, and technology.
\nTrump has nominated several China hawks for key diplomatic and economic roles, which may indicate a more confrontational approach towards China than during his first term.
\nRepublican Senator Marco Rubio, whom Trump has chosen to be the next secretary of state, is among those nominated, despite being under sanctions from China, which were imposed in 2020.
\nIn response to the U.S. stance, Wang Yi reiterated China\u2019s position, saying Beijing \u201cfirmly opposes the illegal and unreasonable suppression of China by the U.S.\u201d He specifically cited U.S. interference in China\u2019s internal affairs, particularly with regard to Taiwan, as an area where China must respond firmly.
\nDespite the growing tensions, both nations appear to recognize the need for cooperation on global issues, with Trump noting, \u201cChina and the United States can together solve all of the problems of the world.\u201d However, with both sides gearing up for potential conflict over various issues, it remains unclear how relations will unfold under the next U.S. administration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Trump and China aim for future cooperation despite strained relations over COVID and trade beijing China\u2019s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, expressed hope on Tuesday that the incoming Trump administration would \u201cmake the right choice\u201d and work with China in a mutually beneficial manner, addressing disruptions and overcoming obstacles. This statement came hours after […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":450110,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-450080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-world"],"yoast_head":"\n