The two leaders’ first statements were, as expected, of mutual friendship. Now comes the hardest part
Playing at home and after a military parade in which he was able to showcase some of the many capabilities of the Armed Forces he leads, the president of China was not afraid to put his cards on the table, throwing a theory of international relations into the discussion.
We are talking about Thucydides’ Trap, which refers to the inclination towards war when an emerging power threatens to replace an established power. Xi Jinping did not say this, but it is clear that in this metaphor, which probably refers more to a military war than a conventional war, China is to the United States what Athens was to Sparta.
This invocation of times dating back several years before Christ can still be seen as a threat, even if Xi Jinping’s rhetoric has been friendly, perhaps even surprisingly so.
The Chinese president understands that the world is now in an era of “interconnected turbulence and transformation” that is causing “profound changes”. For Xi Jinping, the two countries must be able to “transcend” this trap to “inaugurate a new paradigm of relations between great powers”.
The objective, guaranteed the leader of China, is to “join forces to face global challenges and inject more stability into the world”, but also “to respond to the well-being of our two peoples and the future and destiny of humanity”, so that it can “create a bright future for bilateral relations”.
“These are questions of history, questions of the world and questions of the people,” he said. “They are also the answers of our era that you and I, as leaders of great powers, need to write together.”
“I have always believed that the common interests between China and the United States outweigh our differences. Each side’s success is an opportunity for the other. A stable relationship between China and the United States is beneficial to the world,” he reiterated, arguing that everyone benefits from cooperation and everyone suffers from the struggle.
Xi Jinping’s thinking is, therefore, on a partnership that allows “achieving success” for everyone involved.
Trump delighted
After passing through an almost deserted city that had to completely remodel itself for the event, Donald Trump was visibly delighted with the reception in Tiananmen Square.
It was there that he was greeted with a red carpet, a cannon salute, children waving flags and flowers – each gesture was carefully planned by China to welcome the president of the United States.
Greetings made, both leaders met with members of the American and Chinese delegations. Then, the two men walked down a red carpet to a tribune covered with red and gold details, where a military band played the national anthems of both countries and cannons fired in Tiananmen Square. Donald Trump and Xi Jinping inspected the troops and then passed hundreds of jumping children, stopping to watch them.
“Wonderful”, commented the North American president, who was clearly moved by the specially prepared choreography.
The two presidents touched each other’s arms several times, signaling a cordial relationship between the two ahead of the high-stakes talks.
It was already after that, and sitting at a table where, as CNN noted, there were only men, Donald Trump recalled the presence of businessmen such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Apple CEO Tim Cook, who went to Beijing to “pay tribute” and develop business with the country.
“We have incredible people, and they are all with me,” Trump said in his opening speech.
“We invited the 30 best in the world. They all accepted, and I didn’t want second or third place. I just wanted the best. And they are here today to pay tribute to themselves and to China, and they are eager to negotiate and do business, and that will be completely reciprocal on our part,” he added.
Expressing optimism at the start of the summit, Donald Trump wanted to assure Xi Jinping: “It’s an honor to be with you. It’s an honor to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the US will be better than ever.”
Donald Trump also said that some people “don’t like it” when he calls Xi Jinping a “great leader”, but that this will never stop him from saying so.
“I say this to everyone. You are a great leader. Sometimes people don’t like me saying this, but I say it anyway, because it’s true”, reiterated Donald Trump, who never tired of praising the “beautiful and happy” children who helped with his reception.
