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Nicholas Burns, the US Ambassador to China, has labeled the US-China relationship as the most crucial yet potentially dangerous diplomatic engagement for the United States.

In an interview with CBS News’s “60 Minutes,” Burns expressed concern over the current state of tensions between the two nations, emphasizing the significant impact on global business confidence. He characterized the relationship as “the most important, most competitive, and most dangerous relationship that the United States has in the world right now.”

Burns also stressed the necessity for the US and China to coexist despite the challenges, highlighting the economic interdependence between the two countries. He pointed out China’s critical role as a significant competitor and a vital trade partner, with substantial American jobs linked to trade with China. He said, “China’s our most significant competitor, and at the same time, China is our third largest trade partner — 750,000 American jobs at stake.”

The Ambassador’s comments come amid ongoing disputes on several fronts, including trade sanctions, the Taiwan issue, espionage, and the ongoing controversy surrounding TikTok. Amid these issues, the US and China have taken steps towards stabilizing their relationship, highlighted by meetings between top officials and the recent re-establishment of communication channels between their respective military forces.