Many experts and strategists influenced by realist school of thought on both sides predicted that China-U.S. relations would only get worse in the coming years or even decades. 

"I don't agree that we are doomed to have worsening relations." argued Jeffrey Sachs, Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University. In foreign policy thinking, realists assume "the worst about the other side" and assert the worst is true, he points out, "this is the wrong way to proceed".