Managing uncertainties in China-U.S. ties will require the U.S. to accept all-around bilateral dialogue and exchanges between the two countries’ national leaders, experts, scholars and the general public. It needs to identify the true sources of significant disagreements and eliminate its misreading of China.

Setting up a new joint secretariat could be key to keeping engagement between the world's leading economies on track.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva traveled to Shanghai and Beijing in early April, where his delegation signed 15 agreements across a range of sectors, including several aimed at decreasing reliance on the U.S. dollar, U.S. agricultural exports, and U.S. financial institutions. These agreements represent Brazil and China drawing closer and providing alternatives to each other that can circumvent U.S. controls and norms.

China’s relationship with Canada has been suffering for the last few years under the weight of tit-for-tat sanctions and expulsions of officials. Whether or not the two countries will continue this descent will depend on China’s plans to influence policy abroad, and Canada’s appetite for confrontation with the world’s largest exporting economy.

China recently hosted the Central Asia summit, while Japan simultaneously held a meeting between G7 leaders. Both summits were successful on their own terms, and both teach us something about the geographic and political realities of the two respective host countries.

Europe is altering its China policy to reduce reliance on vital technologies, while seeking a balance between protecting its interests and fostering cooperation. And by shifting the relationship, we have the opportunity to heal divisions, and prioritize shared interests that have been, expressed, ultimately benefiting everyone involved.

Tensions between China and the West are being reinforced as assumptions about economic cooperation give way to national security rhetoric. Broad decoupling would be too difficult and costly for the West, while selectively reducing dependence on China in critical areas is seen as a more achievable goal.

Legislators in Washington should cease and desist in their political maneuverings on Taiwan. It’s only making things worse. Undermining the political credibility of the United States and damaging the interests of the American people is a dubious distinction indeed.

The Biden administration recently wrapped up two important state visits with President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea and President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines. The meetings signify that Biden is on a trek to improve and affirm ties with key Indo-Pacific countries, but it must continue this trend if the U.S. wishes to remain relevant in the region.

It’s no hidden secret that U.S.-China relations have been on the rocks in recent memory. Though both sides are willing to go through the motions of performative summits, the reality of policy taking shape on both sides belies the aggression coming from leadership from both countries.