How Janet Yellen is doing on her mission to make U.S. and China friends

Janet Yellen, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, wrapped up her visit to China, leaving behind a trail of cautious optimism and a bunch of unanswered questions. Calling her strides “steps” instead of “wins” gives a perfect meaning to this tightrope walk, which nobody knows if it will ever stop.

So, let’s get into the essentials of her journey, shall we? I mean, it’s not every day you see such a high-profile attempt to thaw ice that’s been freezing over for the better part of a decade.

The First Bold Step: EVs and Economic Etiquette

Yellen didn’t beat around the bush when she pointed out the main problem — China’s ambition to dominate the electric vehicle (EV) market. Echoing the days when steel was their golden ticket, China’s aggressive expansion into the EV arena had eyebrows raising worldwide.

Yellen’s advice was keep an eye on the global political climate. The world hasn’t forgotten the steel saga that sparked trade tensions galore. The U.S., Europe, and Japan are watching, and a rerun with EVs would be less a sequel and more a catastrophe.

This warning was about encouraging China to play nice in the global sandbox. But as we all know, advice is only as good as its reception, and whether China tunes in or changes the channel remains a cliffhanger.

Keeping the Dialogue Alive Amidst Rocky Waters

More intriguing, perhaps, is Yellen’s endeavor to keep the conversation going with China’s top brass. Given the frosty air that’s settled between the two powers over the last seven years, this is no small feat. From the AUKUS submarine pact to the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, not to mention China’s own adventures in regional diplomacy (or lack thereof), the relationship has seen better days.

Yellen, however, isn’t one to throw in the towel. Her deal? Let’s talk, let’s try, and let’s not let past squabbles dictate our future.

Despite the grandeur of her visit—complete with a red-carpet welcome and a private tour of the Forbidden City—progress was, well, modest at best. The discussions danced around issues of trade imbalance, green tech, and economic strategies, but definitive progress was as elusive as a straightforward answer to a politician’s question.

The U.S. hinted at new tariffs while China continued to champion its industrial policies. Yet, amidst the push and pull, Yellen stood firm, advocating for a balanced approach to economic weakness, a strategy that doesn’t just mirror the West but respects the global marketplace.

Clearly, Yellen’s visit to China was a mix of diplomacy and tough love, a delicate balancing act aimed at fostering mutual respect and understanding. Whether ol’ girl’s steps will lead to a harmonious routine or a misstep remains to be seen.

Keep in mind that the complexity of the U.S.-China relationship can’t be understated, nor can the challenges that lie ahead.