Strengthening dialogue between competition in the US-China relationship | MIT News

The United States and China are “the two largest emitters of carbon in the world,” said Nicholas Burns, former US ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, at a recent MIT conference. “We must work together for the benefit of both our countries.”

During MITEI Presents: Advancing the Energy Transition, Burns provided insight into the evolving nature of the US-China relationship, its implications for global order, and its impact on global efforts to advance the energy transition and address climate change.

“We are two of the world’s largest economies,” said Burns, who is now the Goodman Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Relations at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. “These are the only countries that affect everyone in the international system because of our weight.”

The relationship between the United States and China can be summed up in three words, according to Burns: competitive, dynamic, and adversarial – a description that rings true on both sides. He listed the four main sectors of the competition: military, technical, commercial and economic, and heritage.

Burns described a very complex commercial and economic environment. “We both want to be number 1. Neither of us – to be honest – wants to be number 2,” Burns said. Outside of North America, China is the United States’ largest trading partner. Outright trade wars – such as those in April and October 2025 – create tension. “At one time, you will remember, the tariff rates in the United States are 145 percent, and 125 percent in China in the United States.

The energy field can have a big impact on this competitive environment, Burns added. China is a leader in the production and processing of rare earth elements, many of which are critical to products such as lithium batteries, solar panels, and electric vehicles. In 2024 and 2025, the United States was not the only country imposing tariffs on these products; It was followed by India, Turkey, South Africa, Mexico, Canada, EU, and others. “I think the Trump administration is right, like President Biden, to try to separate sources from the exotic world,” Burns said.

Burns also interestingly noted the contrast in China’s energy sector between their leadership in clean energy technology and their constant use of coal, which stands out as a contradiction in China’s efforts. Burns believes that climate change can be an important area of ​​cooperation between China and the United States, emphasizing the importance of the participation of the United States, both in technology and communications.

Burns also described the important technological competition between the United States and China – a very important area. Throughout his presentation, Burns was quick to praise China’s emphasis on education and academic achievement, especially in the STEM fields. Deducting from the latest article The Economistcompared 36 percent of first-year Chinese university students majoring in STEM fields to 5 percent of first-year American students in STEM. “Think about the amount of graduates and the disparity between our country and China,” he said. “Then think about the percentage of graduates who go into science and technology.”

Currently, areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology occupy the forefront of technological innovation. “The Chinese are very good at industrial processes and the doctrine of quick adaptation,” Burns said. He explained that holding the competitive edge is not only about who is first in the market, but who is the first adopter of technology, and who is able to combine that technological development with policy.

“This is the most important relationship we have in the world,” Burns said. He believes that the real test is whether the United States and China can manage competition so that interests are protected, while avoiding the use of the great destructive power that both countries possess. “We have to improve communication and communication to prevent the worst from happening,” said Burns.

“We are at a stage in human history where we are all connected together, and the destiny of everyone in this room and all of our countries is connected together by these great international challenges,” said Burns. “We must learn to compete but live peacefully with each other in this process.”

This speaker series highlights leading energy experts and leaders in the science, technology, and policy solutions needed to transform our energy systems. Visit the MITEI Events page for more information about this and other events.