Janet Yellen, U.S Treasury Secretary landed in Beijing on Thursday to strengthen dialogues on issues concerning the two global powers.
Janet Yellen – U.S Secretary of Treasury is wrapping her five-day visitation to China amid global economic uncertainty. Her endless spree of photographs being uploaded on her social media account with powerful Communist envoy has let many into disbelief.
The relationship between U.S and China is complex and multifaceted encompassing economic, political and strategic dimensions. Over the years both countries have engaged in trade but also had disagreements over issues such as human rights, trade practices and territorial disputes.
“As the world’s two largest economies – it is critical that we maintain clear channels of communication – particularly when we disagree. My key focus in China will be to advance healthy economic relationship that provides a level playing field for American workers and our cooperation on shared challenges like climate change”, she exclaimed.
Exploring Janet Yellen’s economic concerns
The treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, visited both Guangzhou, the Southern city illustrative of China’s manufacturing power, and Beijing, with secretary of state, Antony Blinken.
Spending her days mindfully to resolve important economic issues, Secretary treasury engaged in bilateral discussions with Vice Premier He Lifeng to address China’s ‘industrial overcapacity’ defined by excessive production of green technology. The two global powerhouses managing expectations at industrial and cooperative frontline.
Expressing her concerns on China’s economic hegemony, Yellen reported, “China is simply too large for the rest of the world to absorb with its enormous capacity.”
Guangzhou, a city of irrefutable economic significance. It is the key to unlock China’s global superiority in exportations and invincible trade positioning. The U.S secretary met Guangzhou’s governor, Wang Weizhong, to express her concerns on China’s surging export of Electric Vehicles (EVs), solar panels and batteries, threatening American jobs and businesses.
.@POTUS and I are clear-eyed about the complexities of the U.S.-China relationship. Our priorities include protecting our national security, advancing a healthy economic relationship with a level playing field for American workers and firms, and cooperating on global challenges.
— Secretary Janet Yellen (@SecYellen) April 8, 2024
Janet Yellen hoists “No Support to Russia” flag
The U.S Secretary did not toy away from warning Chinese diplomats of the severe repercussions they can face if they continue let Russia exploit there enormous resources. Amid the growing Russian strikes on Ukraine, Western nations have imposed heavy sanctions on Russia, severely weakening its economy.
China has emerged as a key economic lifeline for Russia, deepening their military, economic and strategic ties. In U.S’s continued effort to derail Russia’s military independence, Yellen discredited China for its expression of support towards Russia.
“Difficult conversations” on national security with Chinese officials, she said on Monday. The recent investigative report outlining Russia’s involvement in the spread of deadly Havana Syndrome among U.S diplomats further plummeted their global ties.
Janet Yellen’s hero-effort to promote dialogue
The end summary of Yellen’s trip to China is a joint-effort of U.S administration in considering China as a key global player and so nothing should sabotage their acrimonious relationship. Maintaining open lines of communication with Beijing to promote competition and prevent conflict has what has inspired Yellen.
The brief telephonic conversation exchanged between the two Presidents, two days before Yellen’s trip, was a reminder to the world that U.S and China have taken a historic step to outgrow their differences and collaborate on issues challenging global politics.
Yellen trip was a part of a bigger plan. A plan seeded in dialogue and communication as the only right tool to address economic concerns and differences shared between two counties of parallel ideologies. But keeping her foot on ground, Yellen also warned that her trip did not meant that all the differences were resolved. It means that a light of hope has sparkled. There is still a long way to go.
