Editor's note: US President Donald Trump is expected to visit China soon, with the world's two biggest economies looking to bolster bilateral ties. In this sharp monologue, American journalist and comedian Lee Camp cites the past and the present to make the case for improved communication and cooperation between the two countries. The views expressed in the video are his own and not necessarily those of CGTN.

US President Donald Trump is coming here to China soon. I have to say I have high hopes for this trip. Because in order for people to come together or agree on something, they generally at some point have to speak to each other! Rarely, in the history of human kind, have there ever been large-scale agreements without at some point speaking to each other? 

Sure, there was the Mime Accords in 1968, but that's a rare occurrence. (Editor's note: it's a non-existence, created by the author to reinforce the theme.)  

Historically, some of the most important events in humankind have come from meetings between leaders who largely disagreed with one another. Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin met twice during World War II to coordinate their efforts against Nazis – despite the fact they weren't the biggest fans of each other. 

President Richard Nixon met with Chairman Mao Zedong in 1972, and it marked a major breakthrough in the Cold War. 

And of course, those blue people met with the water people in Avatar, creating an alliance that looked really cool in 3D.

Both countries are looking to get something out of these meetings. China wants to ease tension and decrease trade friction. The US will likely seek more Chinese imports of US products like soybeans and – sarcasm, or that eye roll the teenagers do when they go, "Ah, mom!"

While China and the US have a longstanding rivalry, they also have longstanding business partnerships. There are a lot of US corporations that do a lot of business in China – Apple, Starbucks, Kentucky Fried Chicken. If Trump really wants to have some leverage over China, he should just withhold the KFC! Sure, China has all the rare earth mineral processing, but the US has the Kentucky Fried Chicken! How long could any country go without KFC? A couple of weeks? A month at most? 

Many are hoping this meeting between the two presidents can be the beginning of a new era – based on cooperation and understanding rather than trade wars and insulting media coverage. Maybe the Western media will finally stop yelling "but at what cost" after every Chinese accomplishment! 

"China is getting smarter – but at what cost?"

"China has more wind energy than ever – but at what cost?"

"China may be the world leader in AI – but at what cost?"

"China's cities get cleaner air – but at what cost?"

I mean, this type of propaganda has an impact. It has even worked on me! Now whenever a Chinese person says hello to me, I go, "Hello! But at what cost?" 

Many people are hoping that Americans will begin to see that China has evolved. It's no longer a simple country that just produces little plastic trinkets that break easily. China is now one of the most advanced countries in the world. In fact, a recent study shows that China acutally leads the world in 90% of the research of crucial technologies! 90%!

Sure, Americans will go: "Yes, but that final 10% is made 100,000% by America!" That's how percentages work, right? I think so. Plus, America makes 100% of the world's KFC.

It's time to work together. It's time to cooperate. It's time to plan together, so we can have a successful, sustainable world… But at what cost?

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)