Is more than trade on the table after ‘great' US-China talks in London?
While the closely-watched trade talks in London last week signalled cautious optimism for de-escalating US-China tensions, experts were cautious over whether the momentum could generate broader, meaningful dialogue on challenging issues like military communications, security, climate and fentanyl cooperation.
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Negotiators from Washington and Beijing agreed on a framework to implement the consensus reached in
Geneva last month and the first official call earlier this month between the two state leaders since US President
Donald Trump returned to office.
Both sides seemed upbeat about the outcome of the London talks, which addressed rare earths, Chinese student visas and US exports of jet engine parts to China, with Trump calling it 'a great deal'.
Shen Dingli, a professor of international affairs in Shanghai, said the London talks – alongside the Geneva negotiations and the
Xi-Trump call – would help pave the way for discussions on other key bilateral and multilateral issues and the resumption of important dialogue mechanisms.
'Many communication mechanisms have been disrupted, and [the latest progress in London] offers an opportunity for their gradual restoration and reinstatement,' he said.
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