Joe Biden, Xi want to see a ‘much better relationship’, says former U.S. ambassador Premium

U.S. and China face challenges in stabilising relationship due to mistrust and Taiwan issue. Max Baucus suggests unilateral actions to build confidence, such as repealing sanctions on Chinese Defence Minister, and maintaining status quo on Taiwan. U.S. is also building security ties with allies and partners to counter China, but key challenge lies in trade and commercial front.

The U.S. and China are working to stabilise their relationship but face challenges from persisting mistrust to the Taiwan issue. Max Baucus, former U.S. Ambassador to China, says in an interview that both sides should consider making unilateral actions to build confidence rather than be tied down by reciprocity. Washington, he suggests, should, as a start, repeal sanctions on the Chinese Defence Minister, which has emerged as a stumbling block in restarting military dialogues. On Taiwan, he says both sides should work to maintain the status quo. While the U.S. is building closer security ties with allies as well as partners such as India to counter China, the key challenge in the region, he says, lies on the trade and commercial front. Excerpts from an interview.

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