From foes to 'great friends' in a year - has China's Xi Jinping tamed Donald Trump?
This article examines the recent diplomatic warming between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, questioning the depth of their reported friendship. It suggests that while the two leaders are prioritizing stability, the relationship remains a strategic calculation rather than a genuine alliance.
Why it matters
Understanding the true nature of US-China relations is essential for global economic and geopolitical stability.
A lavish state dinner at the White House was just one of the ways Donald Trump helped welcome Xi Jinping. ( Reuters: Evelyn Hockstein )
Link copied Share Share article From the moment China's President Xi Jinping arrived in America and was personally greeted by Donald Trump on the tarmac, the expectations were set for a history-making summit.
It had been more than 60 years since a sitting US president had personally welcomed a visiting political leader on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews.
And the rare honour was a calculated move by Washington, designed to show the two leaders more as political allies than foes.
It's a stunning turnaround from just one year ago, when China and America were locked in a bitter and hostile trade war that saw Xi stare down the tariff threats of his American counterpart — and win .
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