- Kissinger helped achieve China-US entente half a century ago
- Former secretary of state says risk of trade dispute escalation
SINGAPORE: Henry Kissinger, former US secretary of state who helped brings about an entente between China and the US nearly 50 years ago, told the Bloomberg New Economy Forum that there was a risk that rising trade tension could lead to a situation like that in Europe before the outbreak of the First World War.
“There is a risk of it getting out of control, like in Europe in 1914, so both countries have to realize that conflict between them would destroy hopes for the world order,” he said, adding that he was “optimistic” that a compromise could be achieved between America and China.
“We all know what the world would look like if there was a military conflict between China and the USA, so they need to solve their differences,” he said.
Kissinger, who is co-chairman of the NEF’s advisory board, added: “China has not had to experience ‘balance’ (in international affairs). For most of their history they have been the dominant world power. So the challenge is for China to recognize that there has to be a balance.
“The United States has to learn that not every crisis is caused by ill-will. Both sides will have to learn to adapt.”
He said that there was “probably a group of people in the USA who do not want China to be the biggest economy in the world.”
Since Kissinger helped organize the first ever visit by an American president — Richard Nixon in 1971 — the shape of the global economy has changed completely, he added.
“Now China has become a substantial new player that can compete with the USA, so they are bound to step on others’ toes around the world. The challenge is for the USA and China to maintain a co-operative relationship in the face of this.”