✏️ Trump signals “Strategic Flexibility” in meeting with Xi

Donald Trump’s trip to China was initially framed by his team as a demonstration of the U.S. president’s deal-making abilities, reminiscent of his book “The Art of the Deal.”

However, his heavy public praise and admiration for the Chinese president added a significant political dimension to the visit. The rhetoric of friendship, respect, and shared progress turned into a display of one superpower’s submission to the other.

The message conveyed was not one of strength as announced before the visit, but rather of submission: the American president seemed eager to flatter his authoritarian rival while unresolved issues surrounding trade, Taiwan, Iran, and democratic values lingered in the background.

DREAMSTIME/KORWEN

GOING FURTHER

• Trump wants China’s help in making peace in Ukraine. He’s unlikely to get it | Europeans.Today

• The Latest: US-China summit ends with Xi and Trump claiming progress but differences remain | Associated Press

• Xi warns Trump of 'clashes and even conflicts' with US over Taiwan | The Guardian

• Trump state visit live: Xi hosting US president for banquet | Sky News

• Trump’s China Trip Underscores How Power Has Shifted East | Time

Sources:

▪ This piece was first published in Europeans TODAY.