The U.S.-China relationship currently faces significant rivalry that impacts collaboration, yet history shows that even rivals can work together on shared challenges. Understanding and advancing methods for cooperation among nonstate actors will be critical for addressing major global issues, per commentary from Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The issue:  

Intensifying tensions between the United States and China threaten collaboration on essential global challenges. Current data shows public perception of China is increasingly negative, with 81% of Americans expressing an unfavorable view, the highest since 1989.

What they recommend:  

No recommendations provided in the commentary.

Go deeper:  

Insights from historical case studies reveal that coordinated efforts between rivals have succeeded when driven by mutual self-interest rather than goodwill. For example, U.S. and Soviet cooperation in smallpox eradication during the Cold War highlighted the political benefits of shared health goals. Such frameworks can inform contemporary U.S.-China engagement on issues like climate-smart agriculture.

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