The Future of U.S. Policy Toward China

How relations between the United States and China evolve over the next decade  has profound implications for the future world order. If the relationship becomes more competitive and confrontational, the risk of unrestrained rivalry and possibly even a catastrophic war will increase. The prospects for U.S.-China cooperation on a range of pressing global challenges will almost certainly diminish. In addition, if economic relations deteriorate further between the two major powers, the rest of the world will likely suffer. U.S. and Chinese efforts to create separate economic spheres would likely significantly depress world trade and growth, and force states to make economic decisions that might serve their strategic benefit but hurt their prosperity. In short, the stakes could not be higher. Averting such calamitous outcomes now represents an overriding imperative.

The Project on U.S. Policy Toward China explores the differing views within the U.S. foreign policy community about how to address critical issues in U.S.-China relations. The project will host roundtable meetings, encourage vibrant debates, and produce articles, op-eds, and blog posts.  

This project is supported by the Stand Together Trust