Pokai Tsao

The US-China relationship will continue to see unbalanced progression between mutual trade interests and political misalignment. Both nations will hold steadfast to their geopolitical ambitions, leaving little opportunity for trust between the two powers. Nevertheless, shared economic interests are likely to drive progressive dialogue between policymakers on both sides of the Pacific.

Although “strategic competition” has become the key principle of the US’ approach to China, Washington still lacks a comprehensive strategy to effectively counter China’s advance. The Strategic Competition Act and the Endless Frontier Act excellently provide the new administration with a substantial plan for this grand competition, yet there remain many uncertainties.

China recognizes that it must evolve its developmental pattern and market vitality to the next stage; therefore, the 14th five-year plan is devoted to making breakthroughs in innovation capabilities, building more open and stable financial markets, advancing in green development, and strengthening the domestic consumer market.

For the last forty years, the One-China Policy, the Six Assurances, and the Taiwan Relations Act have erected the pillars of the US’ Taiwan policy. Together, they mean the US will provide arms sales to Taiwan to ensure the island has sufficient ability for self-defense while not directly engaging in the sovereignty dispute between China and Taiwan. However, as China’s military power projection capabilities have progressed rapidly over the past few years, whether the US should adjust its policy towards Taiwan has stirred vigorous debate in policymaking circles.