Ever-Closer Relations With China

Following up on this post about China’s role in Iran sanctions and nuclear security, President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao shared a phone call last night. Here’s the White House readout:

Tonight, President Obama spoke with President Hu of China for about an hour. President Obama welcomed the decision by President Hu to attend the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit which will be an important opportunity for them to address their shared interest in stopping nuclear proliferation and protecting against nuclear terrorism. They also discussed the importance of developing a positive bilateral relationship. President Obama underscored the importance of working together to ensure that Iran lives up to its international obligations. He also emphasized the importance of the United States and China along with other major economies implementing the G20 commitments designed to produce balanced and sustainable growth.

The New York Times has much more about China’s kinda-sorta-emerging pro-U.S. tilt, and focuses on whether the cost of its development will be Obama taking a soft line on alleged Chinese currency manipulation. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is alarmed. “It relates to American jobs, American wealth and the future of this country. This issue should not be traded for another.”