America’s top diplomat in China, Nicholas Burns, has revealed that he spends 80% of his time managing competition with Beijing and 20% on engagement, Bloomberg reports.
In an interview on Friday, Burns defended this approach as the right balance, emphasizing the need to navigate the complex relationship between the world’s two largest economies.
Burns, who has served as ambassador since March 2022, highlighted several achievements in US-China cooperation, including collaboration on fentanyl, improved military communication, and a recent prisoner swap. However, he acknowledged that ties remain strained due to issues such as China’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, alleged cyberattacks, and perceived bullying of its neighbors.
Burns declined to comment on what the incoming Trump administration should do, but defended the Biden government’s approach as effective. He contrasted it with the previous policy of “really no cooperation with them, but sanctioning of them,” which he said yielded no results.
Among the positive developments, Burns pointed to Beijing’s recent actions to address the fentanyl trade. According to Burns, China has arrested 300 citizens involved in the trade and banned the export of certain precursor chemicals.
Burns emphasized that US-China ties are primarily about competition. He reiterated Washington’s concerns about China’s excessive production and cyber-aggression. Burns also challenged China’s portrayal of the relationship as being driven by US actions, stating that it hinges on Beijing’s behavior as well.
Burns will leave China in mid-January and will be replaced by Trump’s nominee, former Senator David Perdue. Burns expressed support for the transition and said he had advised his team to support Perdue in building the US-China relationship.
However, Burns emphasized that the focus of US-China ties will remain on competition, and that Washington will not tolerate unfair practices or threats to American industry.
