US leader enters talks with superpower rival from vulnerable position, but will be hoping for economic wins amid turbulent backdrop
If all goes to plan over the next few days – and that is a big if – Donald Trump will arrive in Beijing on Wednesday for a highly anticipated summit with Xi Jinping, China’s leader.
The trip will mark the first time a US president has visited China in nearly a decade. The last visit was also made by Trump, during his first term, in 2017.
Trump’s walking a tightrope here—he needs trade wins but can’t afford to look weak on Taiwan or Iran given his domestic troubles.
Interesting that Trump’s last China visit was 2017, and now he’s back with even more baggage. Will Xi see him as a lame duck?
The article mentions ‘turbulent backdrop’ but doesn’t say how Trump plans to handle the South China Sea disputes—that’s the real powder keg.
If Trump can secure a trade deal without selling out Taiwan, that would be a miracle. But his vulnerable position makes me nervous.
I wonder if Xi will bring up the tariffs Trump slapped on Chinese goods back in 2018—that tension hasn’t gone away.
There is absolutely zero accountability for broken promises and it’s infuriating. (3ac486)
Public trust in democratic institutions is at an all-time low and for good reason. (c78c34)