China’s steady hand seems to have won the respect of the Trump administration and encouraged it to stay on track with the phase one trade deal. The talks on Aug. 25 were a rare positive note in overall relations between the two nations.

The phase one trade deal between China and the United States got a new lease on life, at least temporarily, by an online dialogue of senior officials. Now, action is needed on both sides to prevent a new meltdown.

The future of U.S.-China relations remains uncertain, and the upcoming U.S. Presidential elections have the opportunity to fray relations further. Between territorial disputes and cyberwarfare, there are a range of issues on which the two nations must set parameters in order to maintain peace and stability.

Brent Scowcroft, an influential figure in U.S.-China relations, recalled the crisis of the early 1980s in his memoir and advised that the two countries should “at least keep open a door.” This should not be dismissed as nostalgia diplomacy. It’s more relevant than ever.

The US-China relationship has become characterized by tit-for-tat responses. In these hypercritical times, asymmetrical responses may be the only way to get these two countries back to the business of cooperative, civil relations.

China and America’s visions seem to be increasingly at odds. If the two countries cannot realign and regain mutual trust, both nations, as well as the rest of the world, are sure to suffer.

Strong-arm tactics by the United States will not cause China to bend to its will. What’s needed is honest diplomacy that recognizes and respects China’s history, culture and spirit.

China’s political system is fundamentally incompatible with the mainstream of the existing international order, leaving it two choices as it considers how to fend off Trump’s onslaught.

The third episode of The Pacific Dialogue, is between two prominent scholars – Prof. Ezra Vogel of the Harvard University and Prof. Jia Qingguo of Peking University. They spoke from their homes in Boston and Beijing respectively. The conversation took place on July 28, 2020, and was moderated by China-US Focus Editor-at-Large James Chau in Hong Kong.

Will “Trump shock” turn out to be a temporary blip in the course of American politics or a chronic disease that will continue to infect future relations for years to come? Stay tuned.