US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expressed in an interview her intention to travel to China with the aim of “re-establishing contact” with the leaders of the Asian country, despite the growing differences between the two powers. Yellen mentioned that there is a new group of leaders in China, and she considers it important to get to know each other. Although she did not provide a specific date for her visit to Beijing, Bloomberg reported that it could take place in early July.
Tensions between China and the United States have increased in recent years, with President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, viewing China as the greatest threat to US global primacy. However, the Biden administration has sought to ease tensions, and Yellen mentioned in the interview that she hopes to re-establish contact by traveling to China.
The US has imposed restrictions on the export of high-end semiconductors and other products to China, which has exacerbated disagreements between the two countries. Yellen acknowledged that there are differences between the two nations and affirmed that the US will defend its national interests.
The Treasury Secretary also stressed that economic competition between the United States and China can benefit both countries. In this sense, she stressed that the United States will take measures to protect its national security interests, even if this implies an economic cost.
It is worth mentioning that Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited China this month, the first trip by a US chief diplomat to the Asian country in almost five years. During his visit, Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who affirmed that both powers have made progress and found points of understanding in several aspects.