America’s foreign policy hands talk tough on China. But are they free to say what they really think?
Deputy Secretary Campbell participates in a Q&A with Ambassador Michael Froman at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce China Center in Washington, D.C., May 8, 2024. Credit: U.S. Department of State via Flickr
Avoid using words like “cooperation.” Echo counterparts’ concerns in the “prevailing language of threat.” And definitely don’t bring up “engagement” if you want to maintain your credibility — especially around members of Congress.
The introduction to 'Under Pressure: Attitudes Towards China Among American Foreign Policy Professionals', by Michael Cerny and Rory Truex. Credit: Michael Cerny and Rory Truex
These are the rules of the road when it comes to talking
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If Xi Jinping is becoming more preoccupied with internal politics, it could lead to a period of relative calm in China’s relations with the United States.
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