When it comes to participation in international organizations, the objectives of the major powers are not entirely clear. Will there be competition for influence or can China and the United States develop opportunities for cooperation? Only the latter will promote a healthy model of global governance.

Both countries know that confrontation only leads to a dead end in the long run. A mix of cooperation and competition remains the norm that has worked for both countries in the past. But it’s difficult to strike a balance, and competition is likely to overwhelm cooperation, as it always has.

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.

Questions have arisen with the pandemic about who is responsible for what. The answer is simple and clear: National governments are the primary providers of assistance to their citizens.

Since 2017, America’s National Security Strategy has focused on great power competition, and today much of Washington is busy portraying our relationship with China as a new cold war. Obviously, great power competition remains a crucial aspect of foreign policy, but we must not let it obscure the growing transnational security threats that technology is putting on the agenda.

The notion of persuading countries in an expanded G7 to adhere to the U.S. line for containing China has far too much working against it. The schism between America and Europe is only widening under the unpredictable impulses of the current U.S. president.

Leadership – the ability to help people frame and achieve their goals – is absolutely crucial during a crisis. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill demonstrated this in 1940, as did Nelson Mandela during South Africa’s transition from apartheid.

Belated COVID-19 mobilization has resulted in massive human costs and huge economic damage. If appropriate science-based medical policies are further ignored, a multi-year global contraction could follow.

Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. China has confidence in its socialist path, theory, system and culture. China’s strengths are evident it its response to the coronavirus epidemic.

Under constant attack from various corners of the United States, China may have difficulty sustaining a new type of major-country relationship. Its policies are at a crossroad.