Opinion | Why US and China should work together on Ukraine and Middle East peace

The relationship between the United States and China is poised for a defining chapter as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House as US president in 2025. This comes at a time when China, under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, has transformed into an assertive and globally influential power. China is also more used to challenges posed by the US.

The relationship between these two superpowers has been marked by rivalry, mistrust and fierce competition. Yet, in a rare moment of optimism, Trump recently suggested that the US and China could work together “to solve all of the problems of the world”. This remark, though ambitious, hints at an undeniable truth: despite their differences, the US and China hold unparalleled power to address the world’s most pressing crises.

Let’s not be naive. Deep-rooted issues between the two nations make large-scale cooperation unlikely in many areas. Economic competition remains fierce, with both sides viewing technological supremacy as a matter of national security.

The US’ claims of human rights and territorial concerns, such as those related to Taiwan and the South China Sea, continue to be flashpoints, with each side unwilling to compromise on sovereignty and strategic interests. Climate change, once a potential area for collaboration, became a non-starter after Trump withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement during his first term.

But even amid these entrenched disagreements, there are narrow windows where US-China collaboration could be transformative. Two such opportunities stand out: ending the war in Ukraine and fostering peace in the Middle East.