Busan handshake opens a new chapter in China-U.S. ties

Editor's note: Imran Khalid, a special commentator for CGTN, is a freelance columnist on international affairs. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, the Republic of Korea, on Thursday was a rare moment of clarity in an often-clouded relationship. Away from the formalities of the APEC Summit, the two leaders held their first face-to-face dialogue in six years – a conversation that many observers now see as the most substantive engagement between the world's two largest economies since the onset of trade frictions.

While Trump described the talks as "productive" and "encouraging," stating that the two countries had already reached "many consensuses," Xi's forward-looking message gave the direction for the future: China and the United States should remain partners seeking cooperation, not confrontation.

The two presidents' words reflected more than rhetoric; they pointed to a renewed understanding that major powers can find common ground through equality, respect, and practical compromise.

The progress achieved in Busan stemmed from months of quiet diplomacy and Beijing's patient insistence on dialogue grounded in mutual benefit. In the lead-up to the meeting, China had demonstrated openness on multiple fronts – from reassessing data-security concerns over TikTok to expanding market access for American companies in sectors such as financial services and green technology.

Washington responded to China's constructive signals. It agreed to scale back tariffs on Chinese imports from 57 percent to 47 percent, easing cost pressures on global supply chains. At the same time, China pledged to resume purchases of American soybean and enhance control over fentanyl precursor chemicals – a public health issue of deep concern to U.S. communities.

Together, these measures illustrate what can be achieved when both sides focus on practical solutions rather than political posturing. The reduction in tariffs and stabilization of rare-earth exports will benefit manufacturers from Ohio to Guangdong, and consumers from Chicago to Chengdu. The commitment to resume agricultural trade will help U.S. farmers and ensure steady supply for Chinese markets. Such outcomes reaffirm that cooperation, not confrontation, serves both nations' economic and social interests.

For decades, the United States has viewed itself as a global "rule-maker," accustomed to negotiating from a perceived position of strength. Beijing's approach has always been different. China believes that major powers should engage on the basis of equality – a principle that ensures stability, predictability, and fairness in international relations.

In Busan, this philosophy was visible in both tone and substance. Rather than reacting defensively to Washington's shifting trade posture, China emphasized the need for balanced interaction where both sides' legitimate interests are acknowledged. Beijing made it clear that while it remains committed to expanding cooperation, it will never compromise its right to pursue lawful development, technological advancement, and modernization.

This insistence on equality is not about rivalry; it is about balance. When two large economies negotiate as equals, their agreements carry greater credibility and endurance. The Busan consensus demonstrated that parity, not pressure, is the foundation of genuine cooperation.

Beyond tariffs and trade, the Busan dialogue touched on emerging areas such as digital governance, clean-energy technology, and industrial innovation. China's readiness to discuss global frameworks for data security and AI regulation underscores its responsibility as a major power. In the TikTok case, Beijing's willingness to address reasonable security concerns within the scope of international norms highlights its openness to pragmatic solutions.

Similarly, by maintaining a stable supply of rare-earth elements essential for renewable-energy production, China reaffirmed its commitment to global sustainability. These actions reflect a broader belief that competition in technology and innovation should be constructive – a driver of mutual progress rather than division.

The United States and China together account for over 40 percent of global GDP. Their ability to coordinate on trade, health, and climate challenges directly affects every region. When they cooperate, global markets enjoy calm; when they clash, uncertainty spreads. The positive atmosphere emerging from Busan therefore has global resonance, especially for developing economies that rely on predictable trade and investment flows.

While challenges will persist – from export-control debates to differences in industrial policy – the Busan meeting has set a tone of reasoned engagement. It signaled that even amid rivalry, dialogue can yield incremental yet meaningful progress.

For China, the meeting aligns with its long-standing view that major-power relations must be guided by non-confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation. This philosophy underpins China's participation in forums like APEC and the G20, where inclusiveness and shared prosperity remain the guiding themes.

The Busan consensus may not resolve every dispute overnight, but it has revived the world's confidence in diplomacy as a tool for stability. It reminded policymakers that pragmatism and respect – not coercion or dominance – produce durable outcomes.

As follow-up talks unfold, attention will turn to how both sides implement these early understandings. The hope is that the spirit of equality that shaped the Busan dialogue will extend into future negotiations – whether on trade frameworks, digital economy cooperation, or climate action.

In reaffirming that China and the United States can talk, listen, and compromise without conceding principle, the Busan meeting has offered a roadmap for coexistence in an interdependent world. Equality is not a slogan; it is the cornerstone of sustainable partnership. If both nations stay committed to this path, the handshake in Busan could indeed mark the beginning of a steadier, more cooperative chapter in global affairs.

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