Abstract
US-China relations are a complicated mix of positive and negative elements, competition and cooperation. Conflict between the US and China is not inevitable. In agreeing to establish a new type of major power relationship, Presidents Obama and Xi Jinping have prioritized the need to manage differences and avoid confrontation and conflict. Both leaders are focused on reinvigorating their economies and addressing other pressing domestic challenges, and hope to avoid bilateral strains where possible.
Nevertheless, it remains possible that the US and China will be unable to sustain an amicable relationship. In this regard, there are three broad categories that deserve discussion: (1) tensions could increase over political and economic issues; (2) a military conflict could occur either as a result of escalation of an inadvertent incident or deliberate action; and (3) a Cold War-like strategic competition could emerge over time as a consequence of increasing mistrust and diverging interests.
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