When the leaders of Europe and China speak, there will be an understanding that each side is navigating the U.S.’s opposition to the latter’s agenda.

Over several decades, the U.S. has emphasized crisis management with China, mostly for tactical reasons. Now, the Biden administration’s emphasis is clearly strategic. The U.S. wants to be in a position to constrain China’s policy options, while tilting the playing field toward its own interests.

True multilateralism, as reflected in the UN Charter, is the foundation of a functional world order, which in turn yields peace and prosperity. The future is not necessarily gloomy, so long as nations, which face daunting challenges, can work together in a spirit of harmony.

Progress should not be in perception alone but should translate to real action. There is reason for optimism after three rounds of discussion — in Anchorage, Tianjin and Zurich — yet it appears the Biden administration is not yet ready to fundamentally change Donald Trump’s anti-China policy.

Dialogue is always better than confrontation. The Zurich talks may lead to a virtual presidential meeting and more frequent strategic discussion between the two countries to gradually change the negative narrative of competition. A solid foundation must be built one step at a time, and each opportunity seized.

Recent high-level talks in Switzerland between China and the United States have laid a basis for continuing dialogue, leading to a joint agreement for Presidents Biden and Xi Jinping to hold a virtual summit before the year’s end.

As US President Joe Biden’s administration implements its strategy of great power competition with China, analysts seek historical metaphors to explain the deepening rivalry. But while many invoke the onset of the Cold War, a more worrisome historical metaphor is the start of World War I. In 1914, all the great powers expected a short third Balkan War. Instead, as the British historian Christopher Clark has shown, they sleepwalked into a conflagration that lasted four years, destroyed four empires, and killed millions.

One positive outcome is that the two presidents, Xi Jinping and Joe Biden, will hold a videoconference before the end of the year. But there have been a number of other good signs elsewhere as well. Bilateral ties have not continued deteriorating but are showing signs of a gradual thaw.

2021 has shown how the EU will seek to maintain a competitive and cooperative relationship with China amidst tensions between the U.S. and China.

In his speech at the United Nations on Sept. 21, China’s president placed new emphasis on outreach to the world in the fight against COVID-19, as well as major new commitments to reducing coal consumption globally. “The world is big enough to accommodate the common development and progress of all countries,” he said.