What Trump Doesn’t Understand About Xi
The article argues that President Trump's reliance on personal rapport with Chinese leader Xi Jinping is a fundamental misunderstanding of Xi's strategic nature. It suggests that Xi prioritizes long-term, patient maneuvering over the personal diplomacy Trump favors.
Why it matters
It provides a critical analysis of U.S.-China diplomatic strategy and the potential risks of misinterpreting foreign leadership styles.
The Chinese leader cares very little about personal rapport.
Andrew Harnik / Getty September 14, 2026, 7 AM ET Share Save President Trump will host Xi Jinping for a state visit on September 24, once again putting his claimed bonhomie with the Chinese leader at the center of the relations between the two superpowers. But Trump’s insistence on the importance of this personal rapport shows just how little he understands his adversary.
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