One of the most discussed issues recently is whether a compromise will be reached between the United States of America (USA) and China in the new period, which will have an impact on both bilateral relations and the world. In the phone conversation between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on January 24, 2025, important messages were given regarding the developments. Many issues were discussed in the meeting, which gave clues about how President Donald Trump will shape US-China relations in the second new term.
In the first meeting, which was important in terms of establishing a new framework in bilateral relations, both parties revealed their countries’ perspectives on global cooperation. Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump stated that they agreed on the strategic cooperation of the two countries in their previous phone call.[1] In the subsequent telephone conversation between Rubio and Wang Yi, China argued that relations with the United States should be based on fundamental principles such as mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and cooperation based on a win-win relationship.[2] The fact that China expressed these basic principles, which it frequently expresses in bilateral meetings in this meeting also, reflects that it wants the US side to act harmoniously, with a more conciliatory attitude compared to the previous period, taking into account mutual interests.
Rubio, on the other hand, emphasized during his meeting with Wang Yi that the USA will continue its “America First” approach and adopt an attitude that prioritizes American interests in its relations with China, as in other relations.[3] This approach shows that the USA, while not completely rejecting cooperation with China, will adopt a strategy that prioritizes its own economic and security interests. It can be said that this approach and Rubio’s discourse are a forerunner of the decree Trump signed and the steps he took in the days following the meeting.
The most sensitive issue discussed during the meeting was undoubtedly the Taiwan issue. Wang Yi emphasized that Taiwan is “historically an integral part of China” and that China will never accept Taiwan’s independence. Wang Yi also reminded that the USA should act within the framework of the “One China Policy” adopted in previous years. Although the USA has accepted China as its sole representative, China’s reminder about its stance on Taiwan is a reminder for the USA to be sensitive on this issue and not to contradict itself. Although Rubio stated that the US’s commitments to Taiwan would continue, he displayed a different attitude compared to the previous period. Explaining that they do not support Taiwan’s independence, unlike previous administrations, Rubio stated that they hope this issue will be resolved peacefully.[4]Based on Rubio’s statements, it can be said that the USA intends to follow a new balanced policy rather than a harsh attitude in its strategy on Taiwan in the new period. However, it would not be correct to say that the tensions that have been or are likely to be experienced during the Trump era will not be experienced geopolitically. Another important issue that needs to be addressed within the scope of this interview is the media issue of the language barrier and the difference in translation. The fact that Wang Yi’s statements towards Rubio were continued differently during the meeting was the most important use of political attitudes in the language. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Wang Yi was working on the “好自為之” (hao zi wei zhi) process during his meeting. The official English translation of this phrase by China is “act accordingly”. However, some Western media outlets translated this phrase as “be good to yourself” and claimed that it was a harsh warning.[5] In this context, different translations made and published can reflect how the unit’s flexibility and perception relationship between the USA and China can be shaped even at the word level. While Western media countries’ interpretation of the images combined by China in a much harsher language points to differences in understanding between the two sides, the possible harm of the use of a possible translation crisis is also visible to the wise.
The tariff step taken by the USA against China after the meeting showed that efforts to limit China’s global influence will continue despite the increased activity in diplomatic channels. In this context, China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Fu Cong stated that the UN Security Council meeting to be held in New York on February 18, 2025, could be a “very good opportunity” for a new face-to-face meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.[6] In this regard, it is understood that China wants to use the UN meeting as a platform to increase dialogue with the USA and prevent the escalation of the trade war. Although it is not yet clear whether the UN meeting, which will be chaired by China, will feature a face-to-face meeting between Wang Yi and Marco Rubio, it is anticipated that it will be a critical meeting in terms of bilateral relations and issues of global importance.
The meeting between Rubio and Wang Yi was one of the indicators that a new era has begun in US-China relations. Although both sides indicated that they would prioritize their interests and principles, they made constructive statements considering the importance of bilateral relations both on the parties and globally. The expression choices made while translating the statements and the different discourses in the press reflect the sensitivity of the balances in relations. In this context, the steps taken by both countries to balance each other will continue to be at the top of the global agenda.
[1] Yang, S., Wang, Q., & Zhang, H., “China, US should find right way to get along in New Era: Wang Yi tells Marco Rubio”, Global Times, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327575.shtml, (Erişim Tarihi: 03.02.2025).
[2] Xu, W., “Foreign minister Wang Yi shares call with new US secretary of State”, China Daily, https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202501/25/WS6793beeaa310a2ab06ea93e0.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 03.02.2025).
[3] Yang, S., Wang, Q., & Zhang, H., “China, US should find right way to get along in New Era: Wang Yi tells Marco Rubio”, a.g.e., (Erişim Tarihi: 03.02.2025).
[4] Delaney, R., “What did Rubio say about Taiwan independence? US, China at odds”, South China Morning Post,https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3296235/top-diplomat-marco-rubio-tells-wang-yi-us-does-not-back-taiwan-independence, (Erişim Tarihi: 03.02.2025).
[5] “Wang Yi’s advice to Marco Rubio Sparks debate over translation as international media and Beijing offer differing interpretations”, Dimsum Daily, https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/wang-yis-advice-to-marco-rubio-sparks-debate-over-translation-as-international-media-and-beijing-offer-differing-interpretations/, (Erişim Tarihi: 03.02.2025).
[6] Nichols, M., “Good Opportunity” for Rubio, Wang to meet at UN on Feb. 18, says China’s UN envoy”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/good-opportunity-rubio-wang-meet-un-feb-18-says-chinas-un-envoy-2025-02-03/, (Erişim Tarihi: 04.02.2025).
