Transatlantic relations and the Sino-US opening

Abstract

Using the Nixon tapes and the documentary record of US diplomacy, this article argues that the Sino-American opening came as a shock to US allies in Europe but nevertheless was viewed generally in a positive light by transatlantic partners. These sources corroborate other scholarship that the Nixon’s surprise announcement in July 1971 of the opening to China was something of an irritant in Anglo-American relations. Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger’s secret maneuvers stole some of the limelight from Prime Minister Edward Heath’s efforts to upgrade London’s relations with Beijing to the level of ambassador. Whereas Heath’s government had kept US Secretary of State Rogers apprised of the efforts, Rogers was out of the loop in Washington and the Nixon administration did not reciprocate to London until right before the announcement. Finally, the announced intention of establishing diplomatic relations with Beijing opened something of a floodgate toward broader recognition of the People’s Republic of China, even among traditional transatlantic partners, and disrupted Washington’s efforts at promoting dual representation of Taiwan and the PRC at the United Nations.