Opinion | Dysfunctional US-China relationship and divided America hinder efforts to tackle global crises

Increasingly tense US-China relations and fractious American politics are hampering the fight against climate change and Covid-19, among other pressing issues

Restoring the US’ steady leadership, which is vital to resolving today’s global problems, requires learning to peacefully coexist with China

Reading Time:4 minutes

Published: 1:30am, 5 Oct 2021Updated: 2:30am, 5 Oct 2021

In his opening speech at the recent General Assembly, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the world faced a “pivotal moment” to change course or face a future of perpetual crisis.

The increasingly tense US-China rivalry is complicating the global community’s ability to respond as one to this urgent call for action. But a divided America is also depriving the world of the vital US leadership needed to address these historic challenges.

China and the United States are in the midst of a once-in-a-generation historic social transformation. In his quest for “common prosperity”, President Xi Jinping has launched a crackdown on many issues, from the country’s all-powerful tech titans to for-profit tutoring companies and the computer gaming industry.

In the US, President Joe Biden is rolling out a multi-trillion-dollar agenda to rebuild American infrastructure, invest in green technology and boost spending on child care, education and other social programmes to “build back better” for everyone.

But to realise their domestic goals, Biden and Xi have to navigate very different regulatory processes. In the US governance system, Biden must win congressional support.

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