Donald Trump did not expect he would face real cool and clever (almost naughty) diplomacy as opposed to his kind of unpolished, Wild West type dealing this time in China. He relies on bullying smaller and weaker world leaders to support his terms.
He had taken dozens of top-class CEOs with him, possibly thinking his high-profile entourage would humble China, and they would come running to sign hundreds of trade documents. But nothing of the sort had happened. Many analysts are calling it “Much ado about nothing.”
In fact, China had other kind of plans well-rehearsed to bust his swollen ego right from the minute he stepped out of his plane. There was no Xi Jinping waiting anxiously at the foot of the stairs for him. Some officials from the foreign office came to receive him, and some young girls waved tiny flags. That’s all, and the world watched it all.
That was the early hiccup starting with Trump’s conspicuous cold reception at the airport. He looked uncomfortable at all the high-profile meetings where he had to tackle tough diplomacy on key issues, including Taiwan, Iran, Hormuz and some other topics of bilateral interest. Trump is not used to sitting in long meetings following diplomatic norms; he likes to cut them short and give his opinion abruptly.
After the two-day summit, according to Chinese state media, Trump said the meeting was “very successful, world-renowned, and unforgettable”, while Chinese President Xi called it a “historic and landmark” visit. However, many political analysts believe that Trump’s visit to China has been shadowed by the ongoing conflict with Tehran. As the summit progressed, things seemingly thawed a little bit and both parties jointly announced its importance in stabilizing what they agreed is the world’s most important relationship.
Political analysts also believe friendly relations between these two countries is central to ensuring world peace. Though nothing was said officially by the Americans on the outcome of the meeting between the two leaders before his departure, Trump is said to have hailed “fantastic” trade deals and said “a lot of different problems” were settled.
While international reporters are still busy trying to find out documents relating to the so-called ‘fantastic’ trade deals etc., they have, however, the news that President Xi has warned that ‘not understanding’ China’s claims on Taiwan could cause “clashes and even conflicts” as the disputed island has been a major point of discussion amid the talks.
Understandably, long and crucial talks have been held on the current war in Iran between the two powerful countries. The dominating topic was the current impasse at the Strait of Hormuz – the important sea trade route used by China as well. America is beginning to find Hormuz stalemate like quicksand and Donald Trump is desperate to come out of it.
Insiders revealed that both leaders discussed the Iran war and the importance of ending the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as oil prices were going through the roof of every country. And Trump knows he has to answer for the billion-dollar ‘every-day cost’ of the war, someday somewhere. But, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told media outlet NBC News that Trump did not ask Xi for help in ending the months-long war in Iran or ending the blockade at Hormuz. Both sides, however, agreed that the waterways “must remain open to support the free flow of energy”. It reflects China’s stance on the Iran war right from the beginning: “This is a conflict that never should have started, it is imperative that it does not continue and the use of force is a dead end.”
Some of his critics want to stress that Donald Trump didn’t understand Xi’s “nation in decline speech.” They say that “Trump’s response was a speech that will go down in history as a comical, metaphoric groveling and kissing of Xi’s feet. America is done, and MAGA did it to their own country.” In a satirical reference, others said it was very successful in making Xi appear to be the more powerful leader, and, by contrast, making Trump appear weak, subservient, and ingratiating.
Chinese President Xi Jinping made a reference to the “Thucydides Trap,” a political science concept coined by Harvard professor Graham Allison. It describes the structural stress and high risk of conflict that occur when a rapidly rising power threatens to displace an established ruling power (like China and the US). History tells us that the term is based on the ancient Greek historian Thucydides, who observed that the Peloponnesian War between rising Athens and dominant Sparta was made inevitable by the fear their rise instilled in the established power.
Historian analysts say “Chinese President Xi invokes the trap to warn global leaders about the dangers of escalating US-China tensions. While China frames the reference as a desire for peaceful coexistence and a call for Washington to accommodate China’s rise without resorting to conflict, it also serves as an implicit warning to avoid war.”
On his return trip, US President Donald Trump addressed the press on Air Force One on the outcome of his summit in China. He talked on bilateral trade, oil, Iran, Taiwan and Hormuz with the reporters from major media outlets. He revealed that President Xi had committed to withholding military equipment from Iran. He also informed that Beijing has agreed to buy oil from the US.
The most interesting conclusion has been given by a Chinese journalist in a local paper. He wrote: “We’ve seen very little policy agreed between the two sides, but the real win may be that these talks happened at all.”
Echoing the Chinese journalist, we would also like to say that the summit between the USA and China at a time like this needs to be hailed with open arms. Stability and peace in the world depend largely on the policy and action of these two superpowers. Therefore, they need to maintain good and friendly relations all year round. Both countries have learned the hard way that war and conflicts never bring anything good for the people.
The writer is the Consulting Editor, TIMES of Bangladesh
