Will Janet Yellen’s visit to China make a difference?

Will U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s China visit make a difference in this fraught relationship? Truth be told, America’s hardline anti-China attitude and the “speaking and saying one thing whilst doing another“ actions come from deeply-rotted systematic problems and present-day political pressure. Globalization and free trade greatly improved the U.S.’s aggregate economy. But, the rich-and-poor divide in the U.S. has grown more polarized. And with the 2024 presidential election kicking into gear, to secure its political future, the Biden administration might continue or even enhance its aggression towards China to distract the public by projecting America’s own problems onto others. As long as these problems remain unsolved, it would be hard for a true, fundamental shift towards a better China-U.S. relationship. As for Yellen, whether there will be a fundamental change in the China-U.S. relationship will not entirely depend on her or this diplomatic trip.