Summers: US-China Relations Strained by Distrust and Domestic Politics Despite Shared Interests
-
Larry Summers, former US Treasury Secretary, considers himself a "friend of China" but says some of Beijing's actions make it hard for him to argue for better relations.
-
Summers compares the US and China to two men in a lifeboat who have to row together despite not liking or knowing each other well.
-
The Biden administration is open to working with allies to contain China, but domestic politics could undermine those efforts.
-
Speakers at a recent forum were wary of predicting improved US-China relations anytime soon due to ongoing trade and geopolitical tensions.
-
Summers and others warn that US election cycles tend to ratchet up anti-China rhetoric as politicians compete over who is "tougher" on China.