[Editorial] U.S.-China Summit Ends Without a Big Deal, Time to Prepare for a Multipolar World Order

According to the results of the U.S.-China summit released on September 26 and 27, the two countries have once again remained at the level of conflict management, continuing the tone of a trade truce and dialogue without reaching a major deal, just as they did in the summit last May.

China, highlighting its push since May to build a "constructive, strategically stable relationship," has now added qualifiers such as "based on mutual respect, fairness, and equality" as its first major achievement. In the White House fact sheet, unlike in May, references to "North Korea denuclearization" have disappeared.

While it is fortunate that both countries are suppressing conflict and maintaining dialogue, the consecutive summits ending without a major deal show that U.S.-China competition is solidifying as a managed, long-term confrontation rather than being resolved. China’s insistence on the qualifier "equality" reflects its intention to be recognized as a global power by leveraging its economic rise and control over rare earth resources in its relationship with the United States.

This time, the United States appears to have treated China with exceptional protocol, at least in appearance. There was even the assessment that "President Trump is recognizing China as being on equal footing with the United States" (according to Director Yoon Sun at the Stimson Center).

China’s sustained growth is expected to drive the international order into a fully multipolar system. It is becoming increasingly difficult for the United States alone to play the role of a hegemonic power, due to domestic opposition and the complexities of international politics.

From Korea's perspective, it is necessary to continuously maintain and strengthen the U.S.-Korea alliance while also preparing for the multipolar global order.

South Korea needs to expedite its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and expand layers of cooperation with many countries, including the European members of the Group of Seven (G7), Canada, India, Australia, the Philippines, and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Korea’s path for coping with multipolarity is to broaden its network of cooperation in multiple dimensions, not only in international politics and the economy but also in science, technology, supply chains, defense, and culture.

While South Korea's position may not be identical, it is worth noting that Japan is also actively expanding cooperative relationships with a range of countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.