The new U.S. secretary of state will emphasize stemming the tide of immigration, with discussions likely involving law enforcement and economic cooperation, particularly with Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, which are significant sources of migrants. But as the Global South awakens generally, U.S. dominance will not be well-tolerated.

The incoming U.S. administration poses significant challenges, with repercussions extending beyond bilateral relations with China. Finding the proper balance between international exchanges and national security will unlock the door to scientific progress and the greater good of humanity.

Despite their differences, both China and the United States benefit from constructive connections and suffer from continued antagonism. The next few years will determine whether relations will develop into a new cold war or move toward a more equitable form of coexistence.

While the Western outlook on global governance reveals defects and weaknesses, the new outlook proposed by BRICS countries has attracted broad international attention.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that multipolarity is not only the preference, but the norm in the Trump administration—a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy. But unlike China’s globally engaged model, Rubio’s approach prioritizes U.S. interests, reflecting a more transactional and less globally engaged stance.

Former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s pragmatic diplomacy shaped Sino-Indian relations, balancing engagement with restraint despite domestic criticism. His legacy highlights the tension between economic cooperation and strategic caution in India's China policy.

Philippine-China relations seem to be in a state of despair as the Marcos regime is opening the door for heavier U.S. presence on its islands, especially those nearest to China. By bringing these rival powers into tighter quarters with one another, how can both sides ensure that each others’ interests can be well protected without crossing any red lines?

To slow China’s economic and tech development, the new American administration may employ a combination tariffs, export controls and restrictions on Chinese access to international markets. It is also likely to continue its crackdown on Chinese tech companies.

Declaring that he had been preserved by God to save the world, starting with the United States, Trump made no secret of his admiration America’s authoritarian past — including President William McKinley, who served from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. McKinley, like Trump, embraced muscular tariffs and protectionist policies. Will an iron fist work in the world today? We’ll have to wait and see.

Washington and Beijing display stark contrasts in their approaches to the world and to each other. The dividing lines highlight the extremes — perpetrators and victims, oppressors and the oppressed, aggressors and defenders.