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How has the out-of-the-blue event of COVID-19 affected apparent trends for U.S.-China relations? While the United States and China were celebrating an approaching trade deal and yet also clashing on other issues, the ripple effect of a global pandemic has been seismic. The response to the pandemic in both capitals has been flawed and serious mistakes in judgment have undermined public trust. Both the Chinese and U.S. governments were initially unwilling to face scientific facts, were late in responding to people’s needs, and tended to blame others. 

Sino-U.S. relations are being challenged at a time when a global humanitarian crisis might be one vehicle to revitalize engagement. The impact of the virus for China cannot be underestimated, but how is this influencing adjacent issues, such as ongoing repression in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and how is this shaping the U.S.-China relationship? Currently experts worry that U.S.-China engagement is sinking and decoupling is the focus of much high-level discussion—so what can we expect and where will this lead?

Join WorldOregon for this urgent conversation with Asian Perspective Senior Editor Mel Gurtov on these and other developing questions and issues surrounding this global crisis. 

Mel Gurtov is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Portland State University.  His most recent books are Engaging Adversaries: Peacemaking and Diplomacy in the Human Interest (Roman & Littlefield, 2018) and America in Retreat: Foreign Policy Under Donald Trump (Roman & Littlefield, forthcoming in 2020). He blogs at https://melgurtov.com.