Highlights from SCMP's overseas correspondents covering US-China relations in early August 2026 include a stalling bilateral investment board, US defence bill focus on China, and a family protest over property marketing.
Unnamed sources indicate Hegseth is close to losing his job, creating uncertainty amid improving US-China defense relations.
New US security restrictions on federally funded collaborations with Chinese institutions mark a significant step back in US-China cooperation, contrasting with the renewed 1979 Science and Technology Agreement, highlighting a growing contradiction between diplomatic intentions and practical shrinking collaboration space.
The US imposed new tariffs on China and 50+ economies, while its AI lead over China narrowed. Separately, Asian-American groups expressed fear over President Trump's rhetoric fueling racism in the US.
Jake Werner, an expert from the Quincy Institute, suggests China could halt rare earth exports and impose retaliatory tariffs/sanctions on the US if Washington enacts new large-scale restrictions against Russia and its key trading partners, potentially triggering a crisis in US-China relations.
Late June 2026 saw key developments in US-China relations, with analysts questioning Trump's negotiation tactics and Alibaba suing the Pentagon over a military blacklist. The US also intensified its crackdown on Chinese scholars, sparking concerns among legal experts.
Following a summit with "anaemic deliverables," analysts note US-China relations have become excessively reliant on Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, failing to address structural issues and creating instability.
Despite a recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, an expert from CASS’ National Institute for Global Strategy, Zhao, expresses pessimism about the future of US-China relations, citing unresolved structural forces.
US Consul General Julie Eadeh expresses optimism on US-China relations following the Xi-Trump summit, pledging constructive engagement with Hong Kong officials despite challenges.
Early June 2026 saw key developments in US-China relations, including President Trump's conciliatory stance towards Xi, the US adding Chinese tech firms like Alibaba and BYD to a military company blacklist, and increased efforts to denaturalize Americans, including nationals from China and India.
Former US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson advised Washington and Beijing to manage their strategic competition to prevent conflict, warning that distrust is a greater risk than trade imbalances. Speaking in Beijing, he emphasized the need for 'guard rails' amidst intense rivalry.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that significant irritants persist in US-China relations, emphasizing the necessity of ongoing dialogue to prevent flashpoints from escalating into broader conflicts. He highlighted the need for strategic stability while acknowledging long-term struggles.
Trump's two-day summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing yields little concrete achievements despite impressive optics
Hegseth's speech at the summit conveyed a less confrontational tone towards China, praising 'historic' Xi-Trump talks, yet underscored readiness to counter the PLA in a potential Taiwan Strait conflict.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's speech at an international forum will gauge the stability of US-China relations post-Xi-Trump talks, amid Asia-Pacific concerns over the Iran war's impact on security and economies.
A Chinese analyst warns that the era of US-China relations defined by three joint communiques may have ended, citing unrealistic expectations for a political understanding on Taiwan due to US domestic politics. The White House echoed the sentiment, emphasizing fairness and reciprocity.
Dr. Evan Medeiros, a Georgetown University expert on US-China relations, assesses the Trump-Xi summit, stating it reaffirmed existing power dynamics rather than changing them. He notes China set the agenda and secured a 'G2-ish' framing concession, while the US focused on trade deals with soft commitments.
The Trump-Xi summit in Beijing acknowledged China as an equal global power, marking a historic shift from US assumptions of dominance. The talks signaled a move towards managed coexistence and pragmatic competition, focusing on economic and technological rivalry rather than ideological crusades.
Xi Jinping warned Donald Trump that mishandling Taiwan could lead to conflict. A Chinese expert stated US arms sales to Taiwan are a key indicator for Beijing, suggesting Trump might delay or reduce future sales given recent summit agreements and Xi's expected US visit.
Early May 2026 saw key events in US-China relations: a summit between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, a US Senate warning on China's nuclear expansion, and a guilty verdict in a New York 'secret police station' case.
Following a summit in Beijing, US President Trump stated he does not support Taiwanese independence and aims to de-escalate regional tensions. He discussed potential arms sales to Taiwan with President Xi Jinping, emphasizing a desire to avoid conflict between the two nations.
US President Trump, on a historic state visit to China, praised the 'most important bilateral relationship in the world' with China, after 'extremely positive and productive' talks with President Xi Jinping, inviting Xi to the White House in September.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed desire for stable relations during a Beijing summit, but stances on Taiwan, trade, and other issues showed lingering differences.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed desire for stable US-China relations during a Beijing summit, yet stood firm on divisive issues like Taiwan and trade reciprocity, with Xi warning of potential clashes over Taiwan.
