During an interview with NBC on October 23, U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns discussed the ongoing tensions between the United States and China, indicating that this confrontation is likely to persist for the next decade. He emphasized that the U.S. will evaluate China based on its “actions,” rather than just its words.
Burns acknowledged that while both nations are attempting to improve their relationship, a competitive dynamic remains. He noted that the next ten years are expected to be marked by this ongoing rivalry, stating, “We will judge China by its actions, not just its words.”
The relationship between the two powers reached a new low following the incident last year when the U.S. military shot down a Chinese “spy balloon” that entered American airspace. Despite this setback, both sides have expressed a desire for a more stable relationship. Notably, in September, the highest military commanders from both countries resumed formal communication for the first time since 2022, which Burns described as critical for preventing inadvertent military conflicts. He said, “Having these communication channels is very important, but you know, we will judge China by its actions, not just its words.”
As the world’s two largest economies increasingly view each other through a national security lens, strategic fields such as semiconductors, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology are becoming focal points. “We are structural competitors, and I believe this competition will last for many years, extending into the next decade,” Burns commented.
In terms of trade, President Biden has maintained and expanded tariffs imposed by former President Trump, which China views as an effort to restrict its growth in electric vehicles and solar panels. U.S. officials, however, argue that China’s government has created “overcapacity” in these fields, flooding overseas markets with cheap goods that undermine U.S. competitiveness.
The competition for influence in the Asia-Pacific region is also intensifying, with China ramping up military activities around Taiwan and in the South China Sea. Burns criticized China’s willingness to potentially use force for unification, especially in light of recent live-fire drills near Taiwan.
The United States remains Taiwan’s most significant international ally, and aside from continuing to arm Taiwan, the Biden administration is focused on strengthening partnerships with regional allies like South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines to counter China’s growing power.
Additionally, the U.S. has accused China of supplying dual-use technologies to Russia, which have been utilized in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, leading to sanctions against several Chinese companies.
Burns expressed concern, stating, “What bothers us is that China claims to be neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war, yet its actions suggest otherwise, which is a significant issue in U.S.-China relations.”
He acknowledged that the Biden administration is well aware of the threats posed by China but also recognized that there are areas of overlapping interests. “This is a complex and challenging relationship,” he noted, adding, “But it is undoubtedly the most important relationship for Americans with any other country.”
