"The China Debate We're Not Having" | Part 3: Tech, Rivalry, and Competing Visions of the Future

The U.S.-China technology relationship, particularly regarding AI, is often framed as a zero-sum rivalry, yet this perspective frequently obscures opportunities for necessary cooperation. Shifting the focus from a technological sprint to a "diffusion marathon" highlights that long-term economic leadership depends on how effectively AI is integrated throughout the entire economy, rather than just frontier innovation. While national security concerns drive restrictive policies like export controls, these measures often fail to account for the complex, globalized nature of supply chains and the potential for shared cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Instead of solely pursuing a securitized path, the U.S. can strengthen its competitive position by prioritizing foundational R&D, attracting global talent, and fostering trust-based technology ecosystems. Constructive engagement on issues like AI safety, climate modeling, and vulnerability disclosure remains possible, provided the discourse moves beyond monolithic characterizations of the other side.