"American strength back on the world stage, crowed the White House social media post: a curious remark, when the attached video showed the stars and stripes fluttering beneath a long row of Chinese flags, and People's Liberation Army soldiers marching in unison. This week's visit to Beijing offered the kind of style that Donald Trump enjoys parading troops, a banquet and a polite if not markedly enthusiastic welcome from a strongman he called really a friend but little apparent substance."
"But this meeting appears to have been about stabilising the relationship, not shifting it. Chaotic US planning for a trip deferred due to the Iran war may have contributed to the lack of tangible outcomes. But the overall impression is of a wary stalemate. Just over a year ago, the US imposed 145% tariffs on China. Beijing hit back with its own tariffs and, critically, curbs on desperately needed rare earths exports, forcing Mr Trump to retreat."
"The US national security strategy announced a new focus on the western hemisphere. Military assets have been moved from Asia to the Middle East. US hawks have been muted, with China policy appearing to be directed primarily via the trade secretary, Scott Bessent. The US hopes to establish alternative sources of rare earths. Deng Xiaoping urged China to hide its light and bide its time in foreign policy; now US officials joke of adopting his strategy."
"But others think that the US needs to move fast to tighten controls on exports of advanced technologies, and make serious progress in de-risking supply chains. They fear Mr Trump, who likes quick wins, is trading long-term national security for shortterm economic gain. For China, its economic, technological and security progress"
A US-White House social media post framed a Beijing visit with patriotic imagery, including US flags alongside Chinese flags and PLA soldiers marching. The encounter featured ceremonial elements such as troops, a banquet, and a formal welcome from Xi Jinping, but produced limited tangible outcomes. Claims by John Bolton suggest prior US requests for help with re-election and support for internment policies, yet the meeting appears focused on stabilising relations rather than changing them. US planning disruptions related to the Iran war may have contributed to the lack of results. The relationship remains strained after 145% US tariffs, retaliatory Chinese tariffs, and rare-earth export curbs that forced US retreat. The US has shifted military assets away from Asia and seeks alternative rare-earth sources, while debate continues over whether it should rapidly tighten advanced-technology export controls and de-risk supply chains.
#us-china-relations #tariffs-and-trade #rare-earths-and-supply-chains #military-and-national-security #export-controls
Read at www.theguardian.com
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