Last week, we wrote about two pressures: (1) China leveraging US desires to establish direct communication channels to boost Chinese positions, and (2) Chinese representatives loathing environments that prompt unscripted remarks.

The United States can manage these forces to its benefit. Immediately, the US should eliminate its insistence on direct communications.  Then, the US should prepare—ahead of time—assertive responses that anticipate content of announcements by Chinese representatives. Taking the first step strips China of negotiating leverage. Taking the second acknowledges the reality that the Communist Party advances soft-power narratives to excuse its belligerence in physical realms. Active, confident US commentary that strikes Chinese stances can expand small differences within Communist Party leadership positions and might just win reductions in US-China tensions.