Relations between the United States and China have dipped to new lows.
The Trump administration on Wednesday gave China 72 hours notice to close its consulate
in Houston, Texas, citing security risks. The U.S. has also been hitting China's IT
companies like Huawei, Tik Tok and WeChat, pressuring other Western countries to drop
Chinese tech as well. This comes after months of souring relations
between the two economic giants,... as their leaders blame each other over the coronavirus
pandemic and sharpen up their rivalry in regards to trade, tech, security and diplomacy.
Is this a new cold war and just how bad could it get?
To discuss this we have joining us today: Dr. Joseph Bosco, former China country director
in the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense. Dr. Eric Harwit, Professor of Asian Studies
at the University of Hawaii.
1. Dr. Bosco: Have U.S.-China relations hit their
lowest point ever? 2.
Same question goes to you Dr. Harwit is this the worst relations
have been since they were officially established in 1979?
3. To both: What do you
make
of President Trump's decision
to close down China's consulate in Houston? Why was it
Houston of all places?
4. Dr. Bosco: Do you think there's good reason
to believe China poses such a high security threat to the U.S.?
Dr. Harwit: Same question for you. Are U.S. concerns about China justified or overblown?
5. Dr. Harwit: How do
you think China will respond? Will it close down consulates too in Hong Kong or Shanghai
in a tit-for-tat move?
6. Dr. Bosco: Amid high tensions between the
two countries, European nations, India
and Australia have been backing away from China, dropping its 5G technology and mobile
infrastructure. Is this due
to U.S. pressure or out of genuine mistrust of Chinese technology?
7. Dr. Harwit: Is there any way for
the U.S. and China
to improve relations or will it just keep getting worse?
And what does this mean for countries stuck in the middle like South Korea?
8. Dr. Bosco: How do you think this conflict
will play out in the weeks to come with just 100 days or
so left until the 2020 U.S. presidential election?
This is where we'll have to leave the discussion for today. Dr. Joseph Bosco, former China
country director in the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Dr. Eric Harwit, Professor of Asian Studies at
the University of Hawaii. Thank you both
for joining
us