China and the USA are two global powers without serious rivals. They look at each other from the Pacific coast with caution. Communication between them is poor. It seems that each struggles to understand the other. The geopolitical rivalry between them is intense.

The USA values freedom; China desires to avoid chaos. The USA appreciates strategic decisiveness; China values patience. The USA is evolving into a society of continuous inequality; China into a meritocracy. The USA has abandoned multilateralism; China embraces it.

Kissou Mboubani, a diplomat and academic with unparalleled access to policymakers in Beijing and Washington, has written an exceptional guide on the deep cracks in the US-China relationship, a perceptive assessment of the dangers of any confrontation between them, and a bold evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses, as well as their idiosyncrasies. (From the publisher)