The world’s two largest economies, the United States and China, are on the brink of a new Cold War, with tensions escalating on multiple fronts. In a bid to ease these strained relations, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday in New York City. The meeting, scheduled for 1:30 PM ET (5:30 PM GMT), is expected to be a crucial step in navigating the complex and increasingly hostile relationship between the two nations.
The meeting comes at a time of heightened friction between the US and China, with disagreements arising over a range of issues including US export controls on advanced chip technology to China, trade tariffs, Taiwan, human rights, and the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. The United States has expressed concerns over China’s ties with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, while Beijing has voiced worries over US ties with Taiwan.
China’s stance on the situation in Ukraine has been criticized by the US, which sees it as a tacit support for Russia. Meanwhile, the US continues to be Taiwan’s most significant international backer and arms supplier, despite not formally recognizing its government. This complex diplomatic relationship has further fueled tensions between the two superpowers.
This week, China urged the US to promptly remove all additional tariffs on Chinese goods. However, the US remains firm in its stance on China’s human rights record and its assertive actions in the South China Sea.
The challenges posed by China to the US have been described as exceeding those of the Cold War by US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell. While President Biden’s administration maintains that it is not seeking a new Cold War with China, analysts and members of the US Congress are increasingly drawing parallels to a new style of cold war.
Despite these escalating tensions, the two sides have maintained lines of communication in recent months. The White House announced last month that a call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Biden was being planned.
The upcoming meeting between Blinken and Wang will be a significant opportunity to address these crucial issues and potentially lay the groundwork for a more stable and constructive relationship between the US and China.
