grapple

grap·ple  (grpl)
n.
1.
a. An iron shaft with claws at one end, usually thrown by a rope and used for grasping and holding, especially one for drawing and holding an enemy ship alongside. Also called grapnel, grappling, grappling hook, grappling iron.
b. Nautical See grapnel.
2. The act of grappling.
3.
a. A struggle or contest in which the participants attempt to clutch or grip each other.
b. A struggle for superiority or dominance.

Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States last week may not have yielded major political outcomes, or even concrete progress, on many of the long-pending disputes over trade, Taiwan or human rights that the two countries have grappled with recently.