ThinkTankWeekly

Trump, Xi, and the Case for Strategic Calm

Foreign Affairs | 2026-03-20 | china_indopacific

Topics: China, Indo-Pacific, Trade, United States

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English Summary

The U.S. and China are currently navigating a period of strategic calm following years of elevated tensions. This détente is evidenced by a recent truce agreement between President Trump and Xi Jinping, which temporarily paused the trade war and lifted restrictions on critical resources like rare-earth elements. While this pause represents a significant de-escalation, the article cautions that the stability is fragile. Therefore, the outcome of future high-level meetings will be crucial for determining if this strategic calm can be maintained or if tensions will resurface.

中文摘要

美中雙方目前正經歷一段戰略緩和期,此前數年來一直處於高度緊張狀態。這種解緊氣氛體現在近期川普總統與習近平主席達成的休戰協議上,該協議暫時中止了貿易戰,並解除對稀土元素等關鍵資源的限制。儘管這段停歇代表了顯著的降級升級,但本文警示其穩定性極為脆弱。因此,未來高層級會議的結果將至關重要,決定此戰略緩和期能否維持,或緊張局勢是否會再度浮現。

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