This paper studies the dynamics of reconciliation using dyadic and parallel experiments conducted in China and the United States, with a focus on U.S.–China relations. The experimental design captures interactive processes between sender and receiver governments, allowing analysis of how conciliatory signals and responses shape domestic political costs. The results show that reconciliation outcomes depend critically on mutual reactions, revealing political “sweet spots” where cooperation is most likely to succeed. By combining experimental methods with international political analysis, the paper illustrates how controlled designs can illuminate complex strategic interactions under geopolitical rivalry.