Mel Gurtov
Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Portland State University
Jul 24, 2023
Treasury Secretary Yellen's visit to Beijing aimed to promote dialogue and address sticking points. While the meetings were constructive, they didn't bring any new proposals, and significant challenges remain in resolving outstanding issues between the two countries.
Dec 23, 2020
Throughout the Trump administration, policies on U.S.-China educational exchange became increasingly narrow and increasingly hostile. While a degree of suspicion is warranted, open exchange remains necessary to secure a competitive edge in the global economic and political arena.
May 04, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be another obstacle in the Trump-era US-China relationship, and throws into uncertainty, once again, whether the future will make the two competitors friend or foe.
Jun 12, 2019
Trump’s belligerent style in waging the trade war overlooks China’s history of stiff resistance against stronger foes. The US-China relationship is the world’s most important, and if we don’t get it right, the chances of a violent outcome increase significantly.
Sep 26, 2018
The U.S. previously sought to constrain “China’s Rise,” but now may have to accept the country as an equal partner in solving the world’s greatest challenges.
Apr 20, 2018
Abe Shinzo, Japan’s prime minister, has now held his sixth meeting with Donald Trump. The Trump administration supports Abe’s idea of a “normal” Japan that will take on increasing military responsibilities, particularly in containing North Korea and China.
Mar 02, 2018
Has the U.S. position on how to deal with North Korea actually changed?
Dec 22, 2017
China’s proposal of a “freeze for freeze”—a halt in North Korean nuclear and missile tests in return for suspension of provocative U.S.-led military exercises—remains the best one on the table for reducing tensions on the Korean peninsula. Second, keeping nuclear weapons from getting into the wrong hands should be an international responsibility, not a U.S.-China project.
Nov 17, 2017
The Chinese like to say, with considerable justice, that the strength of a country’s foreign policy depends on domestic politics. Here the contrast between the US and China is stark, and provides the essential background for understanding where the two great powers really stand. Whereas Xi has consolidated his power for the next five years—and some observers believe he might rule beyond 2022—Trump’s very legitimacy is in question.
Nov 01, 2017
Trump may be destroying the power of America’s example, but that doesn’t mean countries are looking to China for leadership.