Even during the pre-engagement era during the Cold War height under Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson administrations, there were those who advocated for relaxing containment and opening ties to China, with President Kennedy, eight days before his assassination on November 14, 1963, declaring that the U.S. was not wedded to a policy of hostility to China and would reappraise policies if China indicated a desire to live at peace.
factualpending
Speaker
David ShambaughEvidence Quote
“eight days prior to his tragic assassination on November 14th, 1963 um in what turned out to be his last press conference...Kennedy suddenly declared to the assembled...quote, 'We are not planning on trade with red China,' as it was then known, in view of the policy that red China pursues. But if the red Chinese indicate a desire to live at peace with the United States and with other countries surrounding it, then quite obviously the United States would reappraise its policies.”
Source
Breaking The Engagement: How China Won And Lost America | Hoover Institution— Hoover InstitutionCreated: 8/11/2026, 7:09:14 AM
My Notes
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