In light of various domestic pressures on both sides, neither China nor the U.S. has much room for compromise on a number of issues. Benign interaction won’t be achieved overnight. But, with care, it may yet be possible to repeat the “minuet” described by Henry Kissinger.

Easy as this may seem, patience has profound overtones. On the surface, the White House says it will take time to reset China policy. In truth, this indicates how tricky it is for America to handle the relationship. A tipping point is approaching, but leaders on both sides provide reason for cautious optimism.

U.S.-China relations have transformed throughout the past four years. Experts continue to ruminate on how rivalry and competition can be overcome to rebuild trust and cooperation.

President Biden recently gave his first speech on foreign policy after assuming office. While his speech focused more on competition with China, both China and the U.S. must establish ways to cooperate in order to co-exist.

The early Biden administration’s buzzword is “strategic competition” when it comes to China. Yet, with a litany of domestic problems at hand, true diplomacy may be sidelined, or worse, sacrificed to retain a positive outlook for Joe Biden’s domestic agenda.

Attempts to overturn ideological differences between China and the United States will not solve any of the challenges that lie in their bilateral relationship.

The Biden administration is attempting to merge some domestic priorities with foreign relations, which should create some room for cooperation. The pandemic, economic recovery and climate change are good places to start.

New U.S. President Joe Biden is facing a new and different China focused on global rules. It is trying to work with the United States in a mutually beneficial way, but it is preparing for the worst-case scenario. The two countries now have a window of opportunity to usher in a new phase in their relationship.

China-U.S. relations in the post-Trump era will be driven by China’s increasing strength and shifts in global diplomacy. Because Trump failed to keep China pinned down, the United States will sooner or later be forced to adjust to new realities.

Trump’s presidency drastically changed the American foreign policy landscape, which presents a challenge to Biden as he determines how best to engage in the world’s most significant bilateral relationship.