US-China relations constitute the most consequential bilateral relationship in the world today, and science and technology are at the heart of these troubled ties. Yet, the prevalent discourse routinely falls into false binaries: China versus the US, authoritarianism versus democracy, open science versus national security. This reductionist frame bolsters techno-nationalism and overlooks the transnational nature of many ethical challenges in the development of science and technology. In a world fractured by nations, races, and governing systems, can science transcend political borders? This talk will give a brief overview of the role of scientific collaboration in the history of US-China relations, analyze current challenges, and explore potential paths forward.