Understanding US-China relations is crucial as it shapes global economics, security, and diplomacy, impacting businesses and governments worldwide. A keynote speaker with expertise in this area provides valuable insights, helping organisations navigate trade tensions, technological competition, and geopolitical shifts. Their knowledge fosters informed decision-making, risk mitigation, and strategic planning, ensuring a competitive edge in an increasingly interconnected world.
US-China Relations Speakers
Hire Leading US-China Relation Experts
The dynamic relationship between the United States and China, the world's two largest economies, plays a crucial role in shaping global politics, trade, and security. In 2025, the United States continued to record a significant goods trade deficit with China, reflecting persistent structural imbalances in bilateral trade. Provisional U.S. Census Bureau data show that through much of 2025, imports from China continued to substantially exceed exports, with the annual goods deficit estimated at well over $200 billion despite month-to-month fluctuations. While some individual months saw modest narrowing in the gap, overall import levels remained elevated compared with U.S. exports to China, underscoring the durability of the imbalance even as supply chains diversified and China’s share of total U.S. trade declined relative to other partners. These trends align with broader global patterns in which China’s total trade surplus reached record levels by late 2025, highlighting ongoing asymmetries in global goods trade heading into 2026. Understanding US-China relations is more crucial than ever—book a US-China relations speaker today!
What is the Current State of US-China Relations?
As of 2026, US–China relations remain defined by strategic rivalry tempered by cautious engagement. Both governments continue to compete across economic, technological, and military domains, while seeking to prevent direct conflict and preserve limited cooperation on global challenges.
Economic and Technological Competition
Economic decoupling has intensified in key strategic sectors. By 2025, US export controls and trade restrictions focused on advanced semiconductors and related technologies, shaping bilateral economic flows and strategic competition. According to the Congressional Research Service, U.S. exports to China were about $144.2 billion, and imports were $439.6 billion in 2024, with a widening trade deficit compared with the prior year. China has responded with large-scale industrial policy measures and state-backed funding designed to strengthen domestic capabilities—efforts reflected in rapidly growing semiconductor production capacity and investment.
Military Tensions
Military friction remains acute, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. High-frequency naval and air operations continue around Taiwan and in the South China Sea. According to defence analysts, China’s official defence budget for 2024 was approximately CNY 1.67 trillion (around USD 231 billion), while the United States maintains the world’s largest defence budget, exceeding USD 880 billion annually. Sustained high-tempo military activity reflects mutual strategic concern—even as both sides emphasise the need to sustain communication channels to manage risks and avert unintended escalation.
Diplomatic Engagement
Despite sustained tensions, diplomatic channels have remained open. High-level talks and working groups have focused on crisis management, military-to-military communication, economic cooperation frameworks and global risk reduction. Building on prior dialogues between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, both governments have signalled that structured engagement is essential even amid deep strategic competition.
What are the Key Events in US-China Relations?
- 1949: Establishment of the People's Republic of China → The U.S. ended diplomatic ties and imposed an economic embargo.
- 1950–1953: Korean War → China supported North Korea against U.S.-led forces.
- 1979: Normalisation of Diplomatic Relations → The U.S. recognised China under the One China policy.
- 1989: Tiananmen Square Incident → U.S. imposed sanctions on China.
- 2001: China joined the WTO → Boosted U.S.-China trade.
- 2018–2020: US-China Trade War → Tariffs imposed on Chinese goods.
- 2023: Spy Balloon Incident → Heightened diplomatic tensions.
- 2024: Biden-Xi Meeting at APEC → Efforts to stabilise relations.
- 2025: Trump's return to US Presidency → Escalation in trade war actions
What is the Current Public Perception & Future Outlook?
The US-China relationship remains complex and divisive. Recent surveys show that 42% of Americans view China as an enemy, while 50% regard it as a competitor. With Donald Trump being inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States in January 2025, this has led to greater impacts in trade war actions with increased tariffs.
While both nations collaborate on select global challenges, disputes over technology, territorial claims, and human rights remain major points of contention. For businesses, policymakers, and leaders, understanding these shifting dynamics is essential.
Tensions Between the United States & China
Tensions between the United States and China arise from competing economic systems and disputes over trade, security, and military power. The U.S. has accused China of unfair economic practices, including forced technology transfers and intellectual property theft, which threaten American economic and security interests (Office of the United States Trade Representative).
For example, China's military spending has seen significant growth over the past few decades. In 2000, China's military expenditure was approximately $22.24 billion. By 2024, estimates of China's military spending vary due to different assessment methods. Some analysts suggest that China's defence spending could be around $474 billion when accounting for various factors not included in the official budget. This indicates a substantial increase over the 24-year period.
These economic and military tensions reflect broader struggles for global influence, with both nations seeking to shape the international order according to their strategic ambitions.
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