Dynamics of Relations between China and the United States in the Global Geopolitical Context

The dynamics of relations between China and the United States in the global geopolitical context present striking complexity. These two countries, as great powers, have an important role in world stability and instability. Tensions between the two cover various aspects, from trade to regional security issues. One of the main pillars of this relationship is trade. Since the last few decades, the trade volume between China and the US has increased rapidly. However, unfair trade practices, state subsidies, and intellectual property theft are sources of tension. When the US administration under Donald Trump introduced high tariffs on Chinese goods, the situation worsened, triggering a trade war that affected the global economy. On the other hand, China’s military rise is a serious concern for the US and its allies. China’s “Enabling the Navy” policy, along with territorial claims in the South China Sea, resulted in confrontation with the US. Freedom of navigation operations conducted by the US navy aimed to challenge these claims, but instead increased tensions in the region. Diplomatic relations are also important in this context. Despite ongoing dialogue, sensitive issues such as human rights in Xinjiang and the handling of protests in Hong Kong often fuel tensions. The US accuses China of serious violations of human rights, while China considers US interference in its domestic affairs as a form of domination. In the multilateral realm, both China and the US try to influence international institutions to secure their interests. While the US seeks to maintain dominance through alliances such as NATO and the Quad, China is increasingly proactive in initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative which aims to establish infrastructure cooperation with various countries in Asia, Europe and Africa. In the context of climate change, these two countries also play a key role. As the largest emitter, collaboration in dealing with environmental issues is very important. However, differences in approaches to energy policy and commitment to international agreements often hinder progress. The US demands China to take greater responsibility, while China claims that developing countries should get help in the energy transition. In technology, competition between the two countries is increasingly fierce. The US is trying to limit the access of Chinese companies, such as Huawei, to the advanced technology market. On the other hand, China invests heavily in research and development, aiming to become a global technology leader. Global geopolitics shows that the relationship between China and the US not only has an impact on the two countries but also on the map of world power as a whole. Other countries, both in Asia and elsewhere, are watching this dynamic closely, as decisions taken by these two giants can affect global political and economic stability. Taking all these factors into account, it is clear that the relationship between China and the United States will continue to be a major attraction in the study of global geopolitics. Tension, cooperation and competition will be integrated into each other, forming a complex and challenging future world.