Mohammadreza Keshavarzzadeh – Former Iranian Ambassador to China

The meeting between the presidents of the United States and China took place after nine years. During previous meetings between officials of the two countries in Trump’s first term, China–U.S. relations became tense; for example, in Alaska, following the meeting of Mr. Wang Yi, the Foreign Minister, with American officials, relations between the two sides became strained.

However, Trump’s recent visit to Beijing is of great importance given the one-year trade truce established between the United States and China, which will likely end in the months of September and October. The members of the American delegation, most of whom were from major companies and included the U.S. Treasury Secretary, indicate that this visit was primarily economic in nature; although the two sides have numerous and fundamental disagreements. The reason for this is that over recent years, the Americans have attacked China’s “vital interests” and “red lines,” while claiming to accept them.

One of these issues is the matter of Taiwan; regarding the Taiwan issue, American politicians, whether from the Republican Party and the U.S. ruling establishment or from the Democratic Party, have consistently undertaken actions that have disrupted the “One China” policy. The Chinese believe that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of it; the Americans have also accepted this matter, yet they engage in many provocative actions. As was the case several years ago when Ms. Nancy Pelosi, who was serving as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, visited Taiwan. All these are instances demonstrating that there are fundamental differences between the two sides, and agreements between the United States and China are merely executive agreements, while the fundamental disputes between the two countries still remain. Regarding the existing distrust between the United States and China, it should be explained that the Americans have a deep-rooted disagreement with China, and even if they negotiate today, they do so out of necessity; because at present the U.S. economy is facing problems. Recently, following Trump’s intention to impose heavy tariffs against China, the Chinese immediately retaliated in kind, and this caused the opposing side to retreat. China is now emerging as a superior power, and the Americans are deeply concerned that U.S. hegemony in different parts of the world, including in West Asia or even in the Far East and Africa, may be challenged by China. During Trump’s recent visit to China as well, according to published images and videos, the American delegation threw the gifts given by the Chinese into trash bins before boarding the airplane. Some reports also indicate that even at Xi Jinping’s dinner banquet, American attendants were present.

This distrust between the two countries is real and profound; such that over the past one or two years, the Chinese uncovered a strong American espionage network in China, and following that, several high-ranking Chinese officials were dismissed, all of whom had been involved in the espionage network activated by the United States.

Regarding current developments and China’s perspective on regional crises, including the Persian Gulf, it should be said that Beijing seeks calm in the global trade and economic environment. They are not seeking tension, because tension is detrimental to the Chinese, and any imposition of sanctions or new tariffs has negative consequences for them. Recently, the Chinese made purchases from the United States, such as the purchase of 200 Boeing aircraft, livestock feed, and certain agricultural products. Given the proximity of the midterm elections in the United States, these purchases will greatly assist the troubled U.S. economy. It appears that a kind of truce in the trade war between the two countries has been accepted. Of course, it is predicted that a trade war between the United States and China will be inevitable in the future; because China’s influence is expanding day by day, and now more than 100 countries use Chinese goods.

Trump claimed during his first term that the Chinese were stealing the technology of major American companies. Although there is currently a trade truce in place, which is favored by the Chinese (because time is passing in China’s favor), the Americans will in the future realize what damage they have caused; just as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives stated that this visit had been detrimental to the United States, especially since no effective action was taken regarding Taiwan and merely trade concessions were granted to the U.S. economy.

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