John Bolton Will Have to Manage Strained U.S.-China Ties
Kevin Rudd on PBS
Kevin Rudd, President of the Asia Society Policy Institute, appeared with former Deputy National Security Adviser James Jeffrey on Christiane Amanpour’s show on PBS, where he spoke about the importance of maintaining robust U.S.-China relations in the face of strong headwinds from bilateral trade and North Korea.
Rudd begins the interview by stating that the “Chinese need to lift their game hugely against international trade standards, including on intellectual property.” However, he disagrees with President Trump’s decision to impose tariff and trade barriers, noting that unilateral sanctions like these skirt the rules and procedures that underpin the global trading system.
Rudd also emphasizes the need for unity between the U.S. and China on North Korea, noting that the proposed Trump-Kim summit may cause China to feel “left out in the cold” and pursue its own course of diplomacy on the Korean peninsula. He concludes by discussing the critical role that John Bolton, President Trump’s new pick for National Security Adviser, will have in navigating U.S.-China relations. While acknowledging criticisms of Ambassador Bolton, Rudd calls for patience in giving him “an opportunity to demonstrate his wares.” (15 min., 52 sec.)