Pence's friction-based speech seriously tests China-US relations

The China-US relationship has been seriously tested by allegations of US Vice-President Mike Pence over the conduct of China on a number of fronts, including that of economic, political, and geopolitical.

On October 4, the US Vice-President delivered a speech at the Hudson Institute, in which he used transactional diplomacy and a friction-based approach to levy serious allegations against China. He claimed that China interferes in US internal affairs and elections and making accusations against China's domestic and foreign policies. Subsequently, on Friday, China has vehemently disputed these allegations.

Surprisingly, the language used raises the danger of undermining the values of Chinese-American relations. But not surprisingly, the US has signaled a change in its diplomacy strategy vis-à-vis China since the Trump administration. It has started trade wars with many parts of the world including Canada and Germany and the EU, as well as China.

This change typifies a shift towards a type of transactional diplomacy, where the moto "America First" underpins both policy and law making. Transactional diplomacy does not represent the best way to solve any disputes in international relations. It alienates members of the international economic community and devalues roles and contributions.

The US should reflect on the global leadership examples of the past in resolving differences of opinion within international partners. An example of global leadership could be the responsive and responsible leadership model adapted to China and supported by the EU.

The recent allegations by the US administration reveal an approach to international relations which is based on antagonistic and confrontational tactics. Such approach goes beyond traditional diplomatic etiquette and results in polarizing both audiences and causes.

The US administration is expectedly unpredictable in the way it approaches international relations, especially trade relations. The unpredictability creates uncertainty, but also unifies US international competitors in reacting to such international diplomatic environment.

The era of transactional diplomacy instigated by the US will bring on many trade wars and commercial conflicts in an attempt to rebalance a perceived trade deficit towards US interest. Trading blocs across the world will respond accordingly in retaliation.

The author is a Professor of International and European Business Law at the University of Hull. He has contributed this article to China Watch exclusively.