G2 dialogue

President Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping’s tête-à-tête has pushed the envelope of cooperation, irrespective of the fact that they have issues to differ. The telephonic conversation, however, underscored the need for adhering to the principle of “mutual respect” in an endeavour to achieve the goals of peaceful coexistence and broader cooperation in an interdependent world. Trump, unlike his predecessors, has walked towards China as a trading ally, and is eager to compliment the relationship by broadening it in the realms of technology transfer, leaps in AI, and critical minerals. The term coined by Washington with Beijing, ‘G2’ (Great 2), in their summit meeting last year in South Korea, is a reflection of an accommodative path rather than one of confrontation.

The dialogue on Thursday, nonetheless, came with a carrot and stick approach as Xi warned Trump against going over the board in selling arms to Taiwan. Likewise, the fact that they discussed Ukraine war, Iran and the formidable trade equation hints at the common denominator in the making, especially as China and Russia have come to strike a strategic understanding on global affairs. Xi, of late, had termed Russian President Vladimir Putin as his ‘best friend’, hinting at forming a united front against the West, especially as Trump is out to negate the utility of post-1945 institutional order under the UN. The US decision to constitute the Board of Peace to address the turmoil in Gaza is being seen as a departure from rules-based world order, and one that is Pax-Americana.

The personal chemistry between Xi and Trump demands some statesmanship, in an attempt to address the real issues of economic deprivation, statelessness and tendencies of the far-right. China’s surging role in world affairs, coupled with Russia’s advancement in the heartland of Europe has inevitably come as a challenge to the sole superpower. The way ahead for China and the US is to collaborate, and usher an era of peace and prosperity. Trump and Xi are, and should be, on the same wavelength.