Relations between the U.S. and China have become strained of late. Currency values, climate change, computer hacking, Tibet, arms sales to Taiwan, and debt concerns are just a few of the many challenges burdening the relationship. According to this newswire report, the two countries are working on addressing these issues. Two high level U.S. emissaries have been dispatched to Beijing this week to ease tensions ahead of another round of talks on the issue of Iranian sanctions. The U.S. is trying to secure Chinese support for sanctions on Iran, a major Chinese trading partner, at a time when these other issues have undermined the relationship. The high level visit comes days after China again warned the U.S. on moving forward with arms sales to Taiwan. Although the arms sales were negotiated under the last presidential administration and are mandated by U.S. law, China seems to be ramping up the pressure to something more than the usual objections, using language that suggests a heightened sensitivity. I’m encouraged by this new U.S. effort to mend fences, it demonstrates that the Obama team is not tone deaf to Chinese concerns nor dismissive of the new economic realities generated by the current financial crisis. This video report from MSNBC notes the difficulties faced by the U.S. as it seeks to influence a major creditor country.
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