Bilateral relations between the United States and China have entered turbulent waters, with Beijing lodging a formal protest against Washington’s decision to sell US$1.42 billion (S$1.95 billion) in arms to Taiwan..
Bilateral relations between the United States and China have entered turbulent waters, with Beijing lodging a formal protest against Washington’s decision to sell US$1.42 billion (S$1.95 billion) in arms to Taiwan.
The arms sales, announced on Thursday, was the latest in a series of US actions related to China this week that Beijing has slammed for harming ties. It comes just one day after a proposal by a US Senate panel to allow American warships to call at Taiwan’s ports.
Also on Thursday, Washington stepped up pressure on Beijing to rein in North Korea with new sanctions, including on the Bank of Dandong, which is accused of laundering money for North Korean companies.
Earlier this week, the US downgraded China and placed it among the worst offenders in its annual Trafficking in Persons report.
Taken in sum, these actions are likely to lead to strained ties, Chinese experts told The Straits Times.
Relations between China and the US had been warm since Chinese President Xi Jinping met US counterpart Donald Trump at the latter’s luxury resort in Florida in April. Mr Trump even described his relationship with Mr Xi as « outstanding ».
Mr Trump subsequently set aside tough moves on trade and regional issues, including those pertaining to the South China Sea, after Mr Xi committed to further pressure on Pyongyang.
But the US President appeared to be running out of patience with China on the North Korea issue.
