politics
Donald Trump will arrive in Beijing this week knowing that Xi holds all the cards
The US president will be counting on China to influence Iran and help him out of his latest mess. But the price may be high – including for Taiwan
TL;DR
- Donald Trump's erratic foreign policy approach is seen as undermining the international order, with the upcoming summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing being a critical juncture.
- Trump hopes to secure Xi's cooperation on Iran and trade, but his administration's perceived failures in Ukraine, Gaza, and elsewhere have weakened his negotiating position.
- Xi Jinping views Trump's volatility as beneficial for China's rise as a global stability provider, while the US faces diminished influence and military capacity, particularly concerning Taiwan.
- China's own economic interests are impacted by the ongoing conflict, particularly regarding oil imports through the Strait of Hormuz, but Beijing is actively seeking diplomatic solutions.
- Trump's reliance on China for diplomatic solutions, coupled with his administration's perceived lack of strategic understanding, may lead to concessions that compromise US allies and its global superpower status.