Opinion | Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan will not be a boon to China-US relationship
- Using Chinese know-how and technology would help build up goodwill besides the benefits it would bring to the American transport network
- But the growing climate of distrust between the two sides makes this politically tricky for the US President
Chinese government officials and researchers have argued for years that China could work with the United States on infrastructure, helping to improve America’s roads, bridges, railways and subways.
The rationale is simple. The US needs to upgrade its infrastructure while Chinese firms are particularly good at such work. If the US were to hire Chinese firms to do some of the job, it will not only help to boost the flows of trade, people and money but also build up goodwill and trust.
On the surface, the massive US$2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan could open new potential for the world’s two biggest economies to work together. After all, China has a track record of building things in a quick and efficient way. According to the Engineering News Record, the top five global contractors in 2020, measured by revenues outside their home countries, were Chinese companies.
However, the prospect of Chinese engineers, workers and even equipment taking part in American infrastructure projects has never been more distant. Strategic mistrust of Beijing runs deep in Washington while the American public’s dislike of China has increased to record highs.
