Part 5/9:

China then became the largest emitter of pandas to the U.S., providing up to 11 pandas across various zoos. These animals, instead of being outright gifts, increasingly became loans—a reflection of their status as vulnerable species requiring conservation efforts. The loans fostered cooperation and goodwill, and panda diplomacy became a successful soft power tool for China.

Shifting Dynamics in Global Politics and Economics

However, the landscape changed dramatically in the late 2010s. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. adopted a more confrontational stance toward China, characterized by tariffs, trade wars, and accusations of intellectual property theft and unfair economic practices. These measures aimed to challenge China's reliance on export-led growth and push for fairer trade.