Revoke tariffs, revisit curbs on Chinese people, companies and media, engage constructively on human rights and international norms, fine-tune Taiwan policy – and ditch confrontation. The US should not understate the benefits that constructive engagement brought to the American people.
Biden should undo Trump’s needlessly confrontational damage to the bilateral relationship – on condition that China takes equivalent steps back. The deep causes of US-China friction will remain but an easing of tension will give both governments space to re-engage.
The US should recognise that its designation of China as a strategic competitor creates a self-fulfilling prophecy. Would Beijing be more or less willing to listen to a partner or strategic competitor regarding issues such as Hong Kong?
Warnings from the Trump administration about China as a strategic competitor ignore the progress that has been made and the benefits trade has brought to the US economy.