Introduction

This report summarizes a recent debate on U.S.-China relations between economist Keyu Jin and former U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Matt Pottinger, hosted on YouTube. The discussion explores differing perspectives on the economic, political, and cultural dynamics shaping current U.S.-China relations.

Keyu Jin’s Perspective

1. Rejection of “New Cold War” Narrative

Keyu Jin argues against the characterization of U.S.-China relations as a “new Cold War.” She contends that Chinese social media does not promote widespread anti-American sentiment and that current tensions should not be viewed solely through an ideological lens.

2. Economic Competition Rather Than Ideological Conflict

Jin emphasizes that the competition between the U.S. and China is primarily economic, drawing comparisons to U.S.-Japan relations in the 1980s. She argues that China’s economic growth does not necessarily pose a political or ideological threat to the United States.

3. Cultural Misunderstandings as a Source of Tension

A key point in Jin’s argument is the lack of cultural communication and understanding between the U.S. and China. She suggests that this deficiency exacerbates tensions and misunderstandings.

4. Challenging Dominance Narratives

Jin challenges the narrative that China uniquely spreads anti-American content. She cites bipartisan U.S. Congressional reports showing that anti-American sentiment is prevalent across various global social media platforms, not limited to China.

5. Acknowledgment of Internal Chinese Challenges

Jin also highlights significant internal issues in China, including high youth unemployment and increasing debt. She argues that these domestic challenges may limit China’s appetite for external conflict and underscores that China remains focused on economic openness and global integration.

Matt Pottinger’s Perspective

1. Economic Threats to the U.S.

Matt Pottinger takes a more critical stance, emphasizing the economic risks and costs of U.S.-China tensions. He points to tariffs and intellectual property theft as direct financial burdens on the U.S. economy.

2. Public Health Concerns: The Fentanyl Crisis

Pottinger draws attention to China’s role in the fentanyl crisis, arguing that this represents a major public health threat to American society.

3. Political and Ideological Rivalry

Contrary to Jin’s perspective, Pottinger insists that U.S.-China competition is not merely economic but also deeply political and ideological. He warns that China’s growing global influence reflects an attempt to challenge democratic values and governance models.

4. Call for Strategic U.S. Response

Pottinger argues for a strong and strategic U.S. response, stressing the need for robust economic and diplomatic measures. He warns against underestimating China’s global ambitions and advocates for vigilance in protecting U.S. interests and democratic norms.

Key Themes and Points of Divergence

Theme	Keyu Jin’s View	Matt Pottinger’s View
Nature of the Conflict	Primarily economic, like U.S.-Japan in the 1980s	Political, ideological, and economic
Anti-American Sentiment	Overstated, not specific to China	Prevalent and dangerous, requires U.S. response
Cultural Understanding	Lack of cultural communication worsens tensions	Less emphasis; focus on strategic response
China’s Internal Challenges	High unemployment and debt limit aggressive behavior	Internal issues do not mitigate China’s external ambitions
Response from the U.S.	Cultural dialogue and understanding, not escalation	Strong economic, political, and diplomatic countermeasures needed

Conclusion

The debate between Keyu Jin and Matt Pottinger highlights two contrasting perspectives on U.S.-China relations. Jin emphasizes economic competition and cultural understanding, while Pottinger underscores security threats and ideological rivalry. Both agree that U.S.-China relations are complex and require careful management, but they differ significantly on the nature of the threat and the appropriate U.S. response. This debate illustrates the ongoing policy dilemma facing the United States as it navigates its relationship with a rising China.