In 2017, Donald Trump visited China just before launching a trade and technology war against the Asian giant. Nearly a decade later, his return to Beijing to meet with Xi Jinping couldn’t have been more different. This time, it was Xi Jinping, not Trump, who set the terms and tone of the meeting. Beijing welcomed the American president from a position of strength. Not only does China have an advantage in rare earth trade, highlighted by Xi in Busan, South Korea, but also due to Trump’s weakened state following a military setback in the imperialist war against Iran.
Overall, the meeting did not lead to major agreements but rather aimed to control instability. This doesn’t mean the summit was unproductive, especially for China. Xi Jinping sought to capitalize on Trump’s troubles in the Middle East. He secured an equal meeting with the United States, in line with his policy of “New Great Power Relations” that he has been pushing since 2017. Trump even asked for Beijing’s help to pressure Iran into a permanent ceasefire, likely compromising the Six Assurances, a pillar of US-Taiwan relations established by the Reagan administration in 1982.
The contrast between the two powers was evident from the opening remarks of the meeting. Trump praised the Chinese leader, calling him a great leader and expressing respect for China. Xi, on the other hand, presented a different tone by questioning whether China and the US could create a new paradigm of relations between great powers. He emphasized the need for cooperation over confrontation.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of resolving the Iran conflict. While the US sought China’s help in achieving a ceasefire, Washington confronted Beijing for supporting Iran behind the scenes. China, facing economic challenges, has its own reasons to resolve the conflict.
Additionally, Taiwan and the trade war were central topics of discussion. Xi warned Trump that mishandling the Taiwan issue could jeopardize the relationship. China insisted on the reevaluation of arms sales to Taiwan, and Trump seemed willing to ease tariff tensions, potentially opening up US investment to China.
The summit illustrated Trump’s relative weakness compared to his Chinese counterpart. When an imperial power struggles to translate military strength into lasting political influence, its hegemony is challenged. China took advantage of the Iran war context to exert geopolitical pressure on the US. Despite internal and external challenges, China’s steady progress contrasts with Washington’s lack of vitality. “Flowing water doesn’t decay; active doors don’t rust,” the Chinese say.
