Key Aspects of the G2 Framing

• Origin: The concept was first proposed as a theoretical framework by American economist C. Fred Bergsten in 2005 and gained traction during the 2008 global financial crisis.
• Core Idea: It suggests an informal partnership where the two largest economies work together to supplement existing multilateral institutions (like the G20) and ensure global stability and progress.
• Status: The G2 has never been formally established or adopted as an official policy by either country.
• Recent Revival: U.S. President Donald Trump recently revived the term in late October 2025, referring to his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, as a "G2" meeting. 

Perspectives and Implications

• China's Position: China has historically shown some interest in the concept, as it implies a power equilibrium and an acknowledgment of its great power status on the global stage. However, officially, China maintains it seeks an "equal and orderly multipolar world" and adheres to "true multilateralism," rejecting the idea of co-ruling the world with the U.S..
• U.S. Position: Past U.S. administrations, including the Biden administration, have generally avoided the term. Critics argue that the G2 framing implies that the U.S. and China would make major global decisions without consulting other nations, which causes significant anxiety among U.S. allies and partners (such as Japan, Australia, and India).
• Allies' Concerns: The recent use of the term by President Trump has worried U.S. allies about a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy, fearing they might be sidelined or that Washington could make deals with Beijing at their expense. 

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