The election of Donald Trump as US president has upended much of the global economic and political order as states seek to grapple with Trump’s economic and foreign policy. Specifically, US-China relations remain fraught with tensions notwithstanding attempts by both countries to find a new modus vivendi in their political ties.
In the short term, Trump presents disruption and uncertainty, but in the long term, Trump may turn out to be a real chance for US and China to settle not only economic disputes but also geopolitical issues, especially the Taiwan question.
In this RSIS Distinguished Public Lecture, Professor Xiang Lanxin, Professor Emeritus at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), and Distinguished Fellow at the Henry Stimson Center; argued that under Trump, the US has been less ideologically minded and is now using “common sense” to respond to China’s challenge. Pragmatism, not ideology, now characterises US relations with the rest of the world. Prof Xiang is teaching in RSIS this Trimester under the Ngee Ann Kongsi Professorship in International Relations.
Watch the Distinguished Public Lecture here:
