Biden and Xi meet to talk issues.
Part of the supply chain entanglement of 2021 came from the huge numbers of ships from China waiting for unloading and distribution across the U.S.
The trade relationship between the two largest global economies is usually listed as complicated.
As U.S. administrations change in personnel and policy, China remains constant.
David Miller explains.
Transcript
Monday, President Biden held his first face to face meeting with President Xi Jinping of China.
The three hour meeting included discussions on human rights, Taiwan and pollution. Even though both sides clashed over the sovereignty of Taiwan and the rights of minorities in China both sides agreed they would work to manage their differences in the competition for global influence.
President Joe Biden: The world expects, I believe, China and the U.S. to play key roles in addressing global challenges from climate changes to food insecurity and for us to be able to work together. The United States stands ready to do just, work with you if that’s what your desire.
Biden has acknowledged Xi’s One China policy while at the same time committing to the protection of Taipei.
Xi Jinping, China President: “As leaders of the two major countries we need to chart the right course for the China-U.S. relationship. We need to find the right direction for the bilateral relationship going forward and elevate the relationship.”
However, relations between the two powers have grown more strained under successive American administrations over economic, trade, human rights and global security.
Near the end of the week, former Ambassador to China Terry Branstad, who established a close personal relationship with the Xi while governor of Iowa, held a symposium on China.
Amb.Terry Branstad (ret.), Ambassador to China 2017-2020: “Just as we don’t want to lose the Chinese market for corn, soybeans, pork, beef, you know things like that.”
Brandstad believes the $600 billion in trade with the U.S., which includes the bulk of soybeans exported from rural America, is still important.
Amb.Terry Branstad (ret.), Ambassador to China 2017-2020: “ Well, first of all, I think the tariffs got their attention and led to the Phase 1 trade agreement. So I don’t know that without the tariffs if we would have gotten it because administration after administration had tried to get these things done and now we’ve gotten them done. Now, hopefully over time we can see these tariffs lifted.”
Speakers at the symposium made reference to Xi’s statement about his ideology of capitalism’s demise and the ultimate victory of socialism.
John Pomfret, an expert on U.S.-China relations, believes business was the backbone of this countries relationship with China but he says all of that is gone.
John Pomfret, Journalist and author: Pomfret: His perspective is that the future of the relationship, continued relationship between China and the capitalist world, which is the United States, is cooperation and struggle. And it’s struggle for the inevitable victory of socialism over capitalism. And people say, ‘Well, he doesn’t mean that’ but this is a speech to party faithful it was kept secret for six years, that he made soon after, he doesn’t waste his time. And I think it’s a clear elucidation of his views on the relationship. So I think he’s in a Cold War with the United States and the issue is if we’re going to be in one with him and I think increasingly we are.”
For Market to Market, I’m David Miller.
contact: miller@iowapbs.org