The Amazon is burning, but the U.S. and China may be able to leverage their relationship with Brazil to coerce it into action - should they feel that it is in their best interest to do so.

The current trade war will do little to curb China’s economic development. It masks deeper unease in the US about threats to American hegemony of an increasingly multi-polar world. Yet both countries stand to gain from continued cooperation. The escalating trade war, driven by an outdated mindset of American exceptionalism, will do more harm than good.

Trade talks between China and the United State have morphed beyond trade disputes, the solutions require the political will from the highest level. While working for a positive outcome, both parties should be prepared for a “no deal” scenario. The window of opportunities is closing.

Though many negative beliefs continue to circulate widely within the American media and the American government, Shen Yamei makes clear that these fallacies are unfounded by analyzing relevant literature, key moments in US history and American foreign policy strategy. She argues that, China will not bend to American narratives, and only when the US starts to realize it, can it begin to reverse course and decide to put its China policy back on the right track.

While China-U.S. relations remain moderate, they are also in a critical position to steer away from a full ideological conflict. In order to prevent another cold war, both sides must recall that cooperation is in both parties’ best interests.