As tensions between the United States and China continue to simmer over trade and technology, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng’s visit to Washington has sparked significant dialogue between both nations. Han, serving as President Xi Jinping’s special representative for Donald Trump’s inauguration, met with a number of prominent US figures, including Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and business mogul Elon Musk, aiming to bridge divides on crucial issues such as fentanyl production, trade imbalances, and technology cooperation, as reported by AP.

During his meeting with Vance, Han emphasised the "extensive common interests" shared between the two countries, despite their ongoing differences. The Chinese vice president acknowledged that the US and China had “enormous space for cooperation,” particularly in economic and trade relations. He pointed out that despite "some disagreements and frictions," such as tariffs and sanctions, both nations could work together on global challenges, including regional stability and curbing the export of fentanyl.

One issue still causing tension is the fate of TikTok in the US. The Chinese social media platform, which was temporarily banned, resumed service on January 19, a day before Trump’s inauguration, after Trump’s executive order delayed the ban. Han’s delegation praised TikTok for its role in providing employment in the US, urging the American government to ensure a fair business environment for foreign companies operating within the country. Chinese officials have consistently expressed concerns over the potential closure of major Chinese companies, such as TikTok, in the US

Elon Musk, who has cultivated a strong business presence in China with Tesla’s Shanghai factory, also weighed in on the conversation. Musk, a long-time critic of the TikTok ban, reiterated his opposition to the US decision, calling it a restriction on free speech. However, he highlighted the "unbalanced" situation, where TikTok can operate in the US, but his own platform, X, is banned in China, along with other prominent American social media networks such as Facebook and YouTube.

The series of meetings underscores the delicate balancing act between cooperation and competition that both nations face. As global trade and technology dynamics evolve, the coming months will be pivotal in shaping the future of US-China relations.