NewsU.S.-China tensions and trade: Seeking cooperation amidst disputes
U.S.-China tensions and trade: Seeking cooperation amidst disputes
On Tuesday in Beijing, a delegation from the United States, led by Suzanne Clark, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce, met with Li Qiang. The Chinese Prime Minister stated that enhancing economic cooperation aligns with the interests of both countries.
1:20 PM EST, February 28, 2024
Li Qiang opposed isolation, emphasizing that creating "small yards with high walls" does not serve mutual interests. He encouraged American companies to continue investing in China.
Tensions Between Two Giants
The relationship between the world's two most significant powers is strained, partly due to disputes over Taiwan. Chinese leader Xi Jinping consistently asserts that Taiwan is an integral part of China, advocating for unification. However, the US supports Taiwanese leaders who resist alignment with China.
"The complete unification of our nation is an achievable goal," Xi Jinping proclaimed at the opening of the Chinese Communist Party's 20th National Congress in 2022. Despite Beijing's claim to Taiwan and its push for control, most Taiwanese residents are against such integration.
Furthermore, Taiwan's significant role in the global semiconductor industry adds another layer to the technological competition between Beijing and Washington. The United States accuses China of contributing to a fentanyl crisis within its borders, a crisis linked to nearly 100,000 American deaths annually. The US has urged China to crack down on local firms that produce chemicals for fentanyl, highlighting that some equipment used in opioid manufacturing originates from China and ends up with Mexican drug cartels.
