Report on China-US Economic Relations and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Economic Interdependence and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

A recent statement from China’s Commerce Minister, Wang Wentao, underscores the deep economic interdependence between China and the United States, highlighting its critical role in fostering global economic stability, a cornerstone of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The minister asserted that any forced “decoupling” of these economic ties is unviable.

• Despite fluctuations in bilateral trade shares, the overall economic relationship remains stable and fundamentally important to both nations.
• Trade volumes have demonstrated significant growth, with goods and services trade increasing by 18 percent and 34.7 percent, respectively, in 2024 from 2017 levels.
• This robust trade and investment partnership is a significant driver of job creation in both countries, directly contributing to the targets of SDG 8.
• The minister noted that China’s economy has maintained steady growth, with its long-term positive fundamentals providing a stable basis for defending its interests and contributing to global economic health.

Collaborative Frameworks and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The report emphasizes that cooperation is the only viable path forward, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The relationship is framed not as a zero-sum game but as a mutually beneficial partnership essential for global prosperity.

• The essence of the China-US economic relationship is defined by mutual benefits and win-win outcomes.
• As the two largest global economies, China and the United States share a profound responsibility to foster certainty and stability for global development, a key objective of SDG 17.
• China has expressed its readiness to work collaboratively with the United States to enhance dialogue, expand common ground, and strengthen cooperation.

Upholding Principles for Sustainable and Just Development (SDG 10 & SDG 16)

The minister’s statement advocates for a principled approach to managing international relations, aligning with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The focus is on dialogue and fairness as mechanisms for resolving disputes and ensuring equitable outcomes.

• It is affirmed that through equal-footed dialogue and consultation, differences can be managed effectively to achieve mutually beneficial results, promoting peaceful and inclusive societies as envisioned in SDG 16.
• China’s stance is consistent in its commitment to upholding “international fairness and justice,” which supports the goal of reducing inequalities among countries (SDG 10).
• The ultimate objective is to guide the bilateral economic relationship back to a “healthy, stable, and sustainable” path, which is a prerequisite for achieving broader sustainable development objectives.

Summary of Key Findings in Relation to SDGs

1. The economic linkage between China and the United States is presented as fundamental to achieving SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), as continued trade and investment are vital for job creation and economic stability in both nations and globally.
2. The call for enhanced communication and cooperation is a direct embodiment of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), stressing the shared duty of the world’s leading economies to ensure sustainable global development.
3. The emphasis on managing disagreements through equitable dialogue and a commitment to international fairness strongly supports the aims of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
4. The report concludes that a stable and cooperative China-US economic relationship is indispensable for steering global development towards a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article focuses heavily on economic growth and its benefits. It mentions that China’s economy “maintained steady growth” and that the China-US economic relationship contributes to “global economic prosperity and development.”
   • It directly links bilateral trade and investment to job creation, stating that these activities “have also created a substantial number of jobs in both countries.” This aligns with the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and full and productive employment.

2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The central theme of the article is the partnership between China and the United States. The Commerce Minister emphasizes that the two countries “remain important partners to each other” and that “cooperation is the only right path.”
   • The article calls for strengthening this partnership through “dialogue and communication” to achieve “mutually beneficial outcomes” and “steer China-US economic and trade relations back onto the right track of healthy, stable, and sustainable development.” This directly relates to revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Targets under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

   • Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances. The article supports this by highlighting China’s “steady growth despite downward pressures” and the contribution of the bilateral relationship to “global economic prosperity and development.”

2. Targets under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

   • Target 17.10: Promote a universal, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system. The minister’s statement that any “attempt to forcibly ‘decouple’ China-US economic and trade ties is destined to fail” and the call for “equal-footed dialogue” support the promotion of an open and stable trading system.
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development. The entire article is a call to strengthen the bilateral partnership between two of the “world’s two largest economies” to achieve “healthy, stable, and sustainable development.”
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The mention of “close exchanges between their business communities” implies the importance of partnerships beyond the government-to-government level.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 8

   • The article provides a qualitative indicator for job creation by stating that trade and investment have “created a substantial number of jobs in both countries.”
   • Progress towards economic growth is indicated by the statement that China’s economy “maintained steady growth.”

2. Indicators for SDG 17

   • The article provides specific quantitative data that can serve as an indicator for trade partnership. It states that “the trade volume of goods and services between China and the United States rose by 18 percent and 34.7 percent in 2024 from 2017 levels, respectively.” This data directly measures the volume of trade (related to Indicator 17.11.1).
   • The status of the partnership is qualitatively indicated by mentions of “close exchanges between their business communities” and the commitment to “enhance dialogue and communication.”
   • The stability of the trade relationship is mentioned as an indicator, with the minister noting that “China-US trade has remained generally stable.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: chinadaily.com.cn