The United States and The People’s Republic of China

The relations between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the United States (US) are called People’s Republic of China-United Sates relations or Sino-American relations. These relations involve the international interactions and affairs between the two countries. The current relations between these two countries are thought to be very complicated and complex. Most of the time the US and the PRC are considered to be neither partners nor enemies.

The U.S. thinks of China as a competitor in certain aspects and a partner in others. The two countries have had some phases of tension. One of the most prominent was after the breakup of the Soviet Union. This eliminated a shared enemy and brought about extreme American power. There has also been uneasiness in regards to human rights in the People’s Republic of China and the political status of Taiwan. In spite of this, relations between the People’s Republic of China and the United States have, essentially, been quite stable.

Two Superpowers

The United States currently has the biggest economy in the world. China currently has the second biggest. In spite of this, China holds the spot of the largest population and the United States comes in third. Both countries are the two main consumers of motor vehicles and oil. They both also release the most greenhouse gases of any country.

Despite there being some strain in Sino-American relations, there are also numerous balancing aspects. The PRC and the United States are very important trade partners. They also have similar goals in the avoidance and repression of terrorism and nuclear proliferation. China and the US are the biggest reciprocal trading partners (except for the European Union). China’s problems are mostly enclosed within China. Because of this, there is a need to preserve stable relations with the United States. Major leaders and scholars consider the Sino-American relations to be the world’s most vital mutual relationship of the 21st century.

Current Status

The close interaction between major Chinese players and the US administration displays success in the relations of the two countries. Obama was the first US president to visit China within the first year of being president. Another sign of success is the content of the American foreign policy strategy under Obama’s direction. The importance of US engagement in multilateral relationship building offers a structure where both countires can build more significant cooperation.