Why US and China should work together on Ukraine and Middle East peace

The relationship between the United States and China is poised for a defining chapter as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House as US president in 2025. This comes at a time when China, under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, has transformed into an assertive and globally influential power. China is also more used to challenges posed by the US. The relationship between these two superpowers has been marked by rivalry, mistrust and fierce competition. Yet, in a rare moment of optimism, Trump recently suggested that the US and China could work together “to solve all of the problems of the world”. This remark, though ambitious, hints at an undeniable truth: despite their differences, the US and China hold unparalleled power to address the world’s most pressing crises. Let’s not be naive. Deep-rooted issues between the two nations make large-scale cooperation unlikely in many areas. Economic competition remains fierce, with both sides viewing technological supremacy as a matter of national security. The US’ claims of human rights and territorial concerns, such as those related to Taiwan and the South China Sea, continue to be flashpoints, with each side unwilling to compromise on sovereignty and strategic interests. Climate change, once a potential area for collaboration, became a non-starter after Trump withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement during his first term. But even amid these entrenched disagreements, there are narrow windows where US-China collaboration could be transformative. Two such opportunities stand out: ending the war in Ukraine and fostering peace in the Middle East. The war in Ukraine has destabilised Europe, disrupted global energy supplies and exacerbated food insecurity worldwide. Both the US and China have compelling reasons to seek an end to this conflict. For the US, resolution would reaffirm its leadership in Europe and free up resources to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. For China, stability in Ukraine would safeguard its economic ties with Europe and preserve its strategic partnership with Russia. Trump has criticised US involvement in Ukraine, yet his transactional approach to foreign policy might align with Xi’s interest in brokering a negotiated settlement. China occupies a unique position as a major trading partner to both Russia and Ukraine, giving it leverage as a mediator. If Trump and Xi were to work together and use their respective influence, they could carve out a pathway to peace. This is not just speculation. Such a collaboration would both bring about a resolution to a devastating war and demonstrate that US-China cooperation is not just possible but also effective. The Middle East remains a region riddled with instability, from the ongoing crises in Syria and Yemen to the persistent tensions between regional powers. In recent years, China has increased its regional diplomatic initiatives, most notably helping broker rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Meanwhile, Trump had the Abraham Accords as a hallmark achievement during his first term. Here lies another potential area of collaboration. Together, Trump and Xi could leverage their relationships with key players in the Middle East to reduce tensions, foster dialogue and support economic development. A stable Middle East serves both nations’ interests, ensuring energy security and reducing the need for direct military involvement for the US while guaranteeing steady access to critical energy resources and securing Belt and Road Initiative investments for China. None of this will be easy. Mutual distrust runs deep. Trump’s supporters could view engagement with China as weakness, while Xi might face domestic pressures not to appear accommodating to US demands. Both leaders would need to balance diplomacy with their domestic political imperatives. Yet these challenges also offer opportunities. For Trump, meaningful collaboration with Xi on Ukraine or the Middle East could cement his legacy as a statesman and a deal maker. For Xi, successfully working with the US would elevate China’s status as a responsible global power. The next four years will test whether Trump and Xi can set aside their rivalry, if only temporarily, to address crises which transcend national boundaries. The world doesn’t need grand gestures or empty promises – it needs pragmatic, results-oriented cooperation on issues that matter. Ending the war in Ukraine and stabilising the Middle East are more than geopolitical chess moves; they are moral imperatives. The ripple effects of these conflicts are felt in every corner of the globe. If Trump and Xi can find common ground on these issues, they will ease human suffering and set a precedent for future cooperation. In a fractured world, their leadership could demonstrate that even the fiercest rivals can, when the stakes are high enough, work together for the greater good. The world is watching. The question is whether these two leaders are ready to rise to the occasion.

Why US and China should work together on Ukraine and Middle East peace

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The world doesn’t need grand gestures or empty promises – it needs pragmatic, results-oriented cooperation on issues that matter

The world doesn’t need grand gestures or empty promises – it needs pragmatic, results-oriented cooperation on issues that matter