U.S.-China Essentials is a multimedia series that explores key aspects of the U.S.-China relationship and illustrates the ways it affects the lives of every American and the global community. Join leading experts for explanations on the inner workings of the world’s most important relationship, key issues to watch, and the many areas that connect us as people.
Videos
What Is Unique About Taiwan’s Political Culture?
Taiwan was ranked in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2022 Democracy Index as the tenth-most democratic region in the world, and first in Asia. Sara Newland (Smith College) and Lev Nachman (National Chengchi University) share their views on how a vibrant civil society, protest culture, and respect for progressive values characterize Taiwan today.
Is China Responsible for the U.S. Trade Deficit?
The U.S. trade deficit with China has been widely discussed and debated, but what’s actually driving it? Steven Roach, senior fellow at the Paul Tsai China Center at Yale Law School and former chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia, explains why trading practices are only a small part of the issue.
Should the U.S. and China Collaborate on Climate?
Is combating climate change an area in which the United States and China can work together? Angel Hsu (UNC-Chapel Hill) explains how both countries can use their respective competitive advantages to help the world reach net-zero.
What China’s Slowing Economy Means for the U.S.
How will a weaker Chinese economy affect people in the United States and the rest of the world? Houze Song (MacroPolo) breaks down how China’s slowing economy will impact global trade, American exports, the U.S. stock market, and more.
How to Manage U.S.-China Competition
American and Chinese perceptions of each other are hardening, but neither side benefits from competition escalating into conflict. Evan Medeiros (Georgetown University) shares his recommendations for managing the U.S.-China relationship in a way that balances competition and cooperation.
How China is Catching Up on Semiconductors
Semiconductors are the chips found in all of our phones, tablets, and laptops. Over the last two decades, China has outpaced the rest of the world in several key aspects of semiconductor production. Anja Manuel (Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC) explains how they’ve done it.
What is China’s Nuclear Policy?
China is the only nuclear power that has a “no first use” policy, which pledges that China will never be the first country to use nuclear weapons in a conflict. But is it really that straightforward? Tong Zhao (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) discusses China’s approach to nuclear weapons.
How China is Transforming Electric Vehicles
China is driving electric vehicle (EV) production at home and abroad. Jennifer Turner of the Wilson Center’s China Environment Forum breaks down the recent evolution of China’s dynamic EV industry and how it could impact car manufacturers around the world.
How Powerful is Xi Jinping?
Xi Jinping is China’s political leader, but what does that mean in practice? Yuhua Wang, professor of government at Harvard University, analyzes Xi’s status in the Chinese political system and how much influence he has.
Is China a Communist Country?
Meg Rithmire of the Harvard Business School summarizes China’s unique political and economic system, describing its changing relationship with Chinese businesses, citizens, and the United States.
Risks of Turning Away Chinese Students
Over 300,000 Chinese students were enrolled at U.S. higher education institutions last year. Professors Mary Gallagher (University of Michigan) and Rory Truex (Princeton University) discuss the benefits Chinese students bring to American universities, and the issues they face due to strained U.S.-China ties.
China’s Growing Sci-Fi Universe
Less than 50 years ago, science fiction movies were banned in China under the rubric of “spiritual pollution” from the West. Today, the Chinese sci-fi industry— replete with books, films, and games— is worth billions of dollars. Jing Tsu (Yale University) discusses China’s growing sci-fi universe and its implications for the rest of the world.
Why China Matters to Hollywood
Why are Hollywood blockbuster films increasingly geared toward the Chinese audience? Media expert Aynne Kokas of the University of Virginia explains the power behind China’s booming box office and its resulting impact on the U.S. film industry.
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