A seemingly offhand remark from Trump signals the return – at least rhetorically – of an idea once proposed and dismissed by both Washington and Beijing.
On October 30, Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping held a closely watched meeting in South Korea. Ahead of the talks, Trump posted on Truth Social to say “THE G2 WILL BE CONVENING SHORTLY!” That seemingly offhand remark carries heavy historical baggage. It signals the return – at least rhetorically – of an idea once proposed and dismissed by both Washington and Beijing: a China-U.S. “Group of Two” running global affairs together.
The G-2 concept has had an unusual trajectory. It first emerged in the depths of the 2008 financial crisis, when U.S. and European policymakers, desperate for stability, called on Beijing to shoulder greater responsibility for rescuing the global economy. With the U.S. financial system in turmoil, only China had the resources to serve as a counterweight. Intellectuals and officials floated the notion of a “G-2”: Washington and Beijing as joint stewards of the global order.
Continue Reading on The Diplomat
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.