Neil Bush, son of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and chairman of the George H.W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations, has called for a renewed focus on cooperation between the two nations, moving away from impulsive rhetoric, in a recent exclusive interview with South.
Bush's insights came just in time as Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump held pragmatic, positive and constructive phone talks on September 19.
According to Xinhua News, during the talks, Xi stressed that China-U.S. relations are of great significance. He said that the recent consultations between the teams of both sides have demonstrated the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit, adding that they can continue to properly handle the prominent issues in the bilateral relations and strive for win-win outcomes.
In the exclusive interview with South, Bush predicted the possible direction of Sino-U.S. tariffs and economic relations, emphasizing that reducing tariffs and easing geopolitical tensions are in the best interests of both countries.
He criticized the current U.S. trade policy towards China as overly harsh and irrational, arguing that high tariffs and tech decoupling harm both economies and contribute to inflation and economic stagnation in the United States.
Bush described the trade deficit and the narrative around the "China AI threat" as misguided, noting that deficits are a natural outcome of global trade rather than an evil to be eliminated.
Instead, he urged for leadership that promotes rationality in economic policy and opens markets for mutual benefit. He highlighted the potential for technological collaboration, pointing to China's rapid development and innovation as opportunities for partnership rather than threats.
Ultimately, Bush believes that strengthened U.S.-China collaboration will lead to a more peaceful, prosperous, and better world for both nations.
Reporter/Cameraman | Huang Xinyi, Guo Chuhua
Script/Video Edit | Huang Xinyi
Poster | Cai Junru
Editor | Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
