Commentary

"This relationship has kind of fallen off the edge of the cliff," says Council President and CEO Leslie Vinjamuri. "Engagement is critical."

"[China] had a clear sense of priorities," Council Marshall M. Bouton Senior Fellow for Asia Studies Raymond Kuo shared while unpacking the Trump-Xi summit on Chicago Tonight.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Cuba this week as the island faces dire fuel shortages. Council Senior Nonresident Fellow Cécile Shea unpacks what the trip signals about the Trump administration's Cuba strategy.

Trump and Xi are meeting in Beijing to try to reset US-China relations at a moment of growing instability. Oriana Skylar Mastro breaks down China’s ambitions and what could come next.

"It provides China with an opportunity to frame itself as a source of prosperity and stability—in contrast to the United States," says Council Distinguished Nonresident Fellow Evan Medeiros.

"The United States needs China to some extent more than China needs us," Council Marshall M. Bouton Senior Fellow for Asia Studies Raymond Kuo tells WGN's The Point.

Americans largely view China as an economic rival seeking global dominance, according to a new Chicago Council-NPR-Ipsos poll.

The Beijing meeting gives the United States an opportunity to push back on a Chinese narrative that worsens the bargaining positions of both Washington and Taipei.

"Beijing is not looking for an opportunity or an excuse to attack Taiwan. On the contrary, it is still looking to Washington and Tokyo for reasons not to do so," Council Senior Nonresident Fellow Paul Heer writes for The National Interest.

"The Trump administration has found itself kind of in a 'no win' situation," Council Senior Nonresident Fellow Paul Poast tells Fox 32 Chicago.