Versions :<123456789Live

Yellen Ends China Trip After 'Productive' Talks

Image copyright: Wikimedia Commons

The Spin

Pro-China narrative

Yellen's visit once again reveals the paradoxical character of US policy toward China. While Yellen underscored Washington's desire to improve relations, this will do little to change Washington's overall "decoupling" strategy. Bilateral relations are primarily based on deeds rather than words, and by seeing the PRC primarily as a strategic rival, the US will continue to block China's economic and technological rise for the sake of "national security." Unless Washington reconsiders its zero-sum approach, there is no escaping this dead end.

Anti-China narrative

While Yellen's trip did not yield any concrete breakthroughs, the fact that she is the first US Treasury Secretary to visit China in four years is an important step forward. During her difficult mission, Yellen signaled that there is no contradiction in seeking to improve political and economic relations on the one hand and defending Washington's national security interests through targeted safeguards on the other. Beijing's recent punitive economic measures are unlikely to improve ties, but Washington welcomes China's efforts to discuss ways to de-escalate.

Metaculus Prediction


Public Figures


Go Deeper


Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up!
Sign Up Now!