Senator Obama & US-China Relations: A Presidential Nominee's Official Stance on Chinese Foreign Policy

Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama recently squared off in a Presidential debate over the issues surrounding foreign policy. China was not specifically targeted as a contentious issue. Due to positive relations and a lack of American interest, Chinese foreign policy remains a minor talking point. However, both candidates view Chinese foreign policy with consilient views of economic cooperation and security. Senator Barack Obama's official stance on US-China relations centers on four key points: stability, security, climate change, and economic trade.

Senator Obama stresses the importance of East Asian stability in regards to the elimination of nuclear programs, pro-economic relations and diplomatic normalization. The countries specifically involved are China, South Korea, North Korea, the United States, Russia and Japan. As long as China cooperates economically and diplomatically with the United States, Senator Obama is not proposing any major shifts in US-China policy that will disrupt this positive stability.

Senator Obama asks for increased cooperation and dialogue over global security issues such as terrorism, disease control, and humanitarian disasters. China has taken steps to join Western-led international sanctions against Iran's nuclear proliferation (China Brief, Sept. 23rd), an issue strongly advocated by Senator Obama. China also must choose to place economic restrictions on countries of Africa participating in human rights violations Senator Obama strongly suggests.

By using the models, practices and technologies developed and implemented first in America, Senator Obama feels developing countries, particularly China, will emulate the United States' concerns over climate change and environmental protection. Senator Obama demands that higher levels of cooperation over the climate change challenge must begin without delay. To Senator Obama it is important to establish long-term goals and long-term cooperation over the issues of climate change and environmental protection and to reach an agreement on a post-Kyoto climate regime (China Brief, Sept. 23rd)

Senator Obama wants to see a diminishment in the economic gap disparity between the rich and the poor in Chinese society. This is to be done by increased governmental social safety nets and an upgrade in its financial services sector. Senator Obama feels this will increase the middle class consumption of goods, enhancing US-China trade. Perhaps the most contentious and relevant issue expressed by Senator Obama is a need for China to establish more monitors for products being produced and exported. Recent incidents involving poor quality control have led to sickness in babies and pets. Both of these incidents require stronger government control and must not be allowed to enter the United States according to Senator Obama.

Senator Obama is not proposing any radical shifts in US-China Foreign Policy. Through increased cooperation and higher levels of diplomatic dialogue, Senator Obama feels the United States will maintain stability and security with China. Issues of climate change and economic trade also require stronger measures of cooperation.

"US-China Relations Under an Obama Administration" http://www.amcham-china.org.cn/amcham/show/whatisnew.php?Id=89

"Beijing's Perspective: Sino-U.S. Relations and the 2008 Presidential Election" http://www.jamestown.org/china_brief/article.php?articleid=2374432

The copyright of the article Senator Obama & US-China Relations in International Politics is owned by Joey Dembs. Permission to republish Senator Obama & US-China Relations in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Oct 2, 2008 4:14 PM

Guest :

Sen. Obama's proposal to not alter US-China trade relations shows either his lack of understanding or intentional misleading on the subject--and I believe it's the former. Of course, maybe he doesn't intend to directly implore any radical US-China trade policy changes, but his protectionist views on international trade prove otherwise. His constant rallying cry to punish companies that send jobs overseas with tax cut eliminations and penalties impugn the whole system of our extremely significant trade relations with China. His proposals make it much less desirable for Americans to do business in China--one of our most important trading partners in the world. Also, his threats to tinker with NAFTA are making all of our trading partners across the world nervous about a newly-established protectionist United States. Sen. Obama, with his protectionist viewpoints, surely must have forgotten that 95% of the market is outside of our borders! Please consider the damage that will be done to the global economy with Sen. Obama's anti-trade sentiments when considering him as a candidate. We should be trading more with China and not making ourselves into imperial China.