A “Frank” Face‑to‑Face Between Washington and Beijing
WASHINGTON* – The United States and China are set to swap honest opinions on Friday, November 9, with talks that touch on everything from human rights to the South China Sea.
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What’s on the Agenda?
Top‑level diplomacy and security slides open the door for discussions.
North Korea remains a priority; the U.S. wants to push forward.
Accident prevention in the military sphere will be a key part of the conversation (think missteps that could spiral out of control).
A trade war reset is on the table, especially before the G20 meeting in Argentina later this month.
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Who’s Bringing the Power?
| U.S. |
China |
| Secretary of State Mike Pompeo |
Politburo member Yang Jiechi |
| Defense Secretary Jim Mattis |
Defense Minister Wei Fenghe |
According to U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad, the goal is a constructive, results‑oriented relationship without trying to “contain” China—just fairness and reciprocity.
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Trade Tussles
The U.S. and China have slapped tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other’s goods. President Trump warned that if the dispute stays unresolved, he might target the remaining US$500 billion‑plus of Chinese exports. A tense trade war that could find a reset in this Friday showdown.
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A Chance for Normalization
The high‑level dialogue marks a thaw after years of friction over trade, the South China Sea, and Taiwan.
Yesterday, the presidents had a phone call that revived hope for smoother relations.
But U.S. accusations of Chinese meddling in U.S. politics still linger.
Washington has also been critical of China’s treatment of minorities, especially Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang.
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Other Hot Topics
The 1987 Intermediate‑Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia will be revisited, sparking Chinese concerns about U.S. missile deployments in Asia.
President Xi Jinping emphasized that China seeks solutions through dialogue, “but Washington must respect Beijing’s development choices.”
China’s Foreign Ministry highlighted the meeting between Yang Jiechi and U.S. national‑security adviser John Bolton, stressing the need for careful preparation to ensure a positive outcome at the upcoming Argentina summit.
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Bottom‑Line Takeaway
Both sides are aiming for a no‑confrontational, conflict‑free, mutually respectful cooperation that lets each party win. Whether that will happen remains to be seen—but at least the talk’s tone is more “open” than “okay” and could bring a lightness to the notoriously tense U.S.–China relationship.
