China has an increasing opportunity to share global leadership. Unless the U.S. recognizes U.S.-China relations as a positive-sum game, China may eventually surpass the U.S. economically through global leadership and innovation.

Outcomes fromU.S.-China trade talks that were recently announced ignored the major structural issues facing U.S.-China economic relations. While a trade deal was produced, the major point of contention between the two countries, that they practice deeply divergent forms of capitalism, was ignored. In order to truly make progress on trade between the U.S. and China mutual understanding of the different dynamics driving the two forms of capitalism is needed.

Weak demand is dragging down China’s economic growth. While necessary to mitigate financial risk, will not resolve China’s monetary conundrum, much less protect China’s economy from the consequences of a financial crisis in the long run.

China has pledged to connect Central Asia with Southeast Asia – reminiscent of the Silk Road – also connecting the Middle East and Africa with a massive infrastructure project set to surpass America’s Marshall Plan that rebuilt Europe after World War ll. Our leaders at the national, state and local level need to find ways to assure China's continued rise does not come at our demise.

July 1, 2017, will mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China, after more than a century of British colonial rule. It comes at a moment when China’s leaders are increasingly promoting Hong Kong’s unique role in advancing the country’s economic development.

When the United Kingdom, France, Germany and other U.S. allies decided to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in 2015 amidst clear opposition from Washington, some questioned whether it meant the transatlantic relationship was weakening in the face of a rising China. In terms of risk, rebalancing, and reward, however, the AIIB was not a situation that pitted Europe’s relationship with the U.S. against its relationship with China. Such a case may offer insight when considering the Paris Agreement and Europe’s actions if faced with choices between Washington and Beijing.

Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin once said “No nation was ever ruined by trade.” President Donald J. Trump seems determined to prove Franklin wrong. On April 29, 2017, Trump directed the Commerce Department and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to review all of America’s recent trade agreements. He wants trade officials to determine if America is being treated “fairly” by it trade partners.

Much as the relocation of East Asia’s labor-intensive industry to lower-wage China stirred a virtuous economic cycle that went much beyond mere capital accumulation, so also China-Africa production capacity cooperation and transfer can create a sum bigger than its parts. Far from being a new form of colonialism, as the critics have panned it, the transfer of industrial capacity and world-class infrastructure will reduce transaction costs in Africa. But success abroad must first begin at home.

The president’s overly rosy forecasts and tensions with Congress over alleged Russian meddling in last year’s US election mean a bumpy road ahead for his budget legislation. What Trump finally gets will probably a dramatically modified budget plan or an interim short-term deal that limits his administrative space.

Shaping, coordinating, and stabilizing domestic and international expectations concerning the Belt and Road Initiative will maximize the positive effect of economic policy and minimize potential negative side effects. Four years of achievements and experience have made it clear that the initiative not only promises huge immediate and long-term business opportunities but also requires striking a balance between seizing every opportunity available and guarding against possible risks.