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While frictions between the United States and China in the areas of trade, investment, and technology development are certainly important, in fact the most critical driver of potential instability between Washington and Beijing consists of clashing security perceptions and policies.
The decision to remain in the General Security of Military Information Agreement, or GSOMIA, represents a step in the right direction when South Korea, Japan, and their ally the United States face significant obstacles from China and North Korea to maintaining stability in the region.
In receiving the French president, Chinese leadership has shown it is willing to develop long-term relations with the most important Western countries, including those in Europe that have been at the core of the EU’s new China strategy.
Technonationalists, whatever their nationality, take a strategic view of industry and technology. They view it as fundamental to national security and economic competitiveness and take on faith that economic policies must have strategic underpinnings.
Macron ought to use his meetings with his Chinese counterpart and other top officials to boldly advance a broader European agenda on issues ranging from climate change to intellectual property and even to human rights.
Despite the seeming convergence of political interests between Kim, Moon, and Trump, a fundamental remaking of the Korean Peninsula can happen only if Kim Jong Un makes a strategic decision to save North Korea by dismantling the Kim dynasty. So long as he remains in power, however, Kim will never make that choice.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, today’s trade surpluses are not the result of exceptional manufacturing efficiency or unusually hard-working and high-saving workforces.
It is easy to dismiss “acquisition” as a euphemism for theft, but in reality, trade, foreign investment, licensing, imitation,and, yes, theft have all contributed to China’s technological progress.
Trump has prosecuted a costly trade war against Beijing but for China, Trump’s weaknesses are more important than his bluster.
The United States and Japan should collaborate with each other to keep their edge, as China increasingly becomes a competitor in high-tech sectors.