Why the Trump-Xi relationship may be the weakest link in US-China ties
Analysts are concerned that the US-China relationship has become overly dependent on the personal rapport between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping. Recent summits have lacked substantive policy deliverables, leading to fears of instability in the world's most important bilateral relationship.
Why it matters
The centralization of foreign policy in the hands of two leaders creates systemic risk for global economic and geopolitical stability.
As the summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump fades in the rear-view mirror, marked by anaemic deliverables, poor transparency and missed opportunities, analysts and former US officials point to another disappointment: the world’s most consequential relationship has become inordinately dependent on the two nations’ top leaders.
The article relies on critical commentary from former officials and academics regarding the current administration's diplomatic style.
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