Trump is playing right into Xi’s hands, tough US measures will allow the Chinese leader to be the economic nationalist he wants to be. The US and China have hit each other with billions of dollars in tariffs as the two countries edge closer to a trade war. This is a dramatic shift for Trump who was relying on Beijing for help with North Korea. Trump spent his campaign attacking China, accusing the country of “raping” the US on trade. Now that he is president he views China as a “Friend” and has “tremendous respect” for Xi. A potential trade war with the US, which could have massive ramifications for China domestically, comes just as Xi was riding high, having begun his second term as President with an option to rule for life. But Trump’s well-known capriciousness will also help Beijing to avoid public opprobrium for any potential ramifications should things escalate. He is an unpredictable force, China doesn’t even really have to propagandize it. From a messaging standpoint it plays very well for them. Trump and Xi’s relationship will get rockier as the US-China fight heats up.
erik_blank about 6 years ago
Except Trump already said that he felt that president for life was a good thing: http://time.com/5184524/trump-china-president-for-life/
Mr. Blawt about 6 years ago
Trump is playing right into Xi’s hands, tough US measures will allow the Chinese leader to be the economic nationalist he wants to be. The US and China have hit each other with billions of dollars in tariffs as the two countries edge closer to a trade war. This is a dramatic shift for Trump who was relying on Beijing for help with North Korea. Trump spent his campaign attacking China, accusing the country of “raping” the US on trade. Now that he is president he views China as a “Friend” and has “tremendous respect” for Xi. A potential trade war with the US, which could have massive ramifications for China domestically, comes just as Xi was riding high, having begun his second term as President with an option to rule for life. But Trump’s well-known capriciousness will also help Beijing to avoid public opprobrium for any potential ramifications should things escalate. He is an unpredictable force, China doesn’t even really have to propagandize it. From a messaging standpoint it plays very well for them. Trump and Xi’s relationship will get rockier as the US-China fight heats up.