Former President Donald Trump says he's open to meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing—a surprising pivot from the man who once rode anti-China sentiment straight to the White House.
The potential diplomatic overture comes at a peculiar moment. U.S.-China relations have plummeted to their lowest point in decades. Trade tensions simmer. Tech competition intensifies. And geopolitical chess moves around Taiwan have everyone on edge.
But that's Trump for you. Unpredictable to the core.
During his presidency (which feels simultaneously like yesterday and a lifetime ago), Trump hurled tariffs at Chinese goods like confetti, blamed Beijing for the "China virus," and generally positioned himself as America's tough-guy defender against Chinese economic aggression.
And yet...
Those who followed Trump's first term closely remember his peculiar soft spot for Xi. He frequently praised the Chinese leader's strength while simultaneously hammering Chinese policies. It was a diplomatic paradox wrapped in a contradictory enigma.
"Trump has always separated his personal relationships from policy positions," explained Dr. Helen Liu, who I spoke with at last year's Pacific Rim Forum. "He believes—rightly or wrongly—that personal chemistry can overcome structural conflicts."
This latest overture follows that familiar pattern. But is it genuine diplomatic outreach or campaign positioning?
Look, Trump knows how to grab headlines. By suggesting he could waltz into Beijing and charm Xi, he's painting himself as the dealmaker-in-chief once again. It's a stark contrast to the Biden administration's more traditional, cautious approach to China diplomacy.
The timing can't be ignored. With Trump eyeing another run at the presidency, he's likely testing campaign themes. "I get things done where others fail" has always been central to his political brand.
But would a Trump-Xi summit actually accomplish anything substantial? That's where skepticism creeps in.
His vaunted "Phase One" trade deal from his first term delivered... well, not much. China missed most purchasing targets (by wide margins), though Trump supporters argue he at least got concessions no previous president managed to extract.
Having covered U.S.-China relations since 2018, I've watched this relationship deteriorate regardless of who occupies the White House. The competition between these superpowers transcends individual personalities—though personalities certainly affect the tenor of the relationship.
One former State Department official I spoke with (who requested anonymity because they still consult on China matters) put it bluntly: "Trump thinks he can charm Xi. Xi thinks he can use Trump's ego to China's advantage. They're both probably wrong."
Meanwhile, the actual substantive issues—Taiwan's security, trade imbalances, intellectual property theft, human rights concerns—remain as thorny as ever.
What's particularly fascinating is how Trump continues to defy easy categorization on China. At times the fiercest China hawk, at others surprisingly accommodating. It drives foreign policy experts absolutely batty.
But that's politics in the 21st century for you. Contradictions wrapped in soundbites surrounded by tweets.
Whether Trump actually makes this Beijing journey remains to be seen. But one thing's certain—he'll keep us guessing until the very end.
