[🇨🇳] China vs USA

[Saif]

Trump's not so triumphant visit to China

Unarguably, Donald Trump's just concluded visit to China has not been redolent of legendary veni, vidi, vici vintage. Some commentators have described it as a pathetic disaster and a landmark diplomatic faux pas the like of which has not been seen in recent years. The sound bites accompanied by the

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Trump's not so triumphant visit to China

Hasnat Abdul Hye

Published :
May 19, 2026 23:57
Updated :
May 19, 2026 23:57

Unarguably, Donald Trump's just concluded visit to China has not been redolent of legendary veni, vidi, vici vintage. Some commentators have described it as a pathetic disaster and a landmark diplomatic faux pas the like of which has not been seen in recent years. The sound bites accompanied by the sights of Trump delegation dumping the gifts received from their Chinese hosts reveal the lack of savoir fair in the much vaunted deal making style of Trump administration. If there was any doubt about the gross, uncouth and hubris demeanour of the present occupant of White House, the gesture of his delegation desecrating the gifts removes it decisively.

The outcome of President Trump's visit to China and his summit meeting with President Xi Jinping should be measured by what was in the agenda for discussion and the covert objectives of the visit. The state visit was at the request of president Trump and took place in the backdrop of a deteriorating relation caused by tariff war. In addition, there has been growing tension over Taiwan, the island state claimed by China as its territory and supported and armed by America as an independent entity. To these two issues was added the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran following American- Israeli war against Iran.

The tenor of the summit was revealed by the reception given to president Trump on his arrival when he was greeted by the vice president of China. This was a deliberate departure from the protocol of a head of state being received by the head of state of host country. In the summit President XI preempted President Trump when he pointed out that the world was watching them, implying that Trump should not say or do anything that will disappoint observers around the world. With this opening condescending statement he immediately assumed an upper hand, cautioning Trump that he should behave responsibly and not shoot from the hip as is his wont. Then he bluntly told president Trump that he should be beware of falling victim to Thucidides Trap, a direct reminder of the Greek historian's prediction about a rising power routing an incumbent great power. By debunking the Trap thesis, he directly accused President Donald Trump of promoting an adversial relation with China on the basis of an imaginary demon.

By implication, he hinted that as in Thucydides's Greece Troy became fearful of the Greek state, America has become apprehensive of China's rise as a great power. He assured and declared that America and China should work together as partners. Through these opening remarks President XI directly placed President Trump into a defensive position and that sealed the fate of the summit. Already alienated by its traditional western allies because of his unilateral decisions and actions, President Trump faced a treatment in China which was by any reckoning humiliating. On Taiwan, President XI drew a red line and bluntly told Trump that sending arms and supporting independence of the island would directly bring their countries into conflict, the shorthand for war. In response, far from reiterating America's support for Tarwan, President Trump merely said he would take a decision about sale of arms to Taiwan later.

In respect of trade, there was no discussion on retaliatory tariff and nothing was decided. Instead there was a declaration of intent from China to buy Soybean and 200 Boeing jets from America. The sale of rare earths material by China and imports of chips and semi conductors from America were discussed but no decision was made indicating that China's drive to become self-sufficient in chip making will proceed full steam. Even the inclusion of Chinese born CEO George Huang of American tech giant NVIDIA in the American delegation could not make any difference to make a breakthrough in the impasse. The war in the Middle-East figured prominently in the Summit. President XI agreed that the Strait of Hormuz should be opened, quipping ' Iran closed it and you closed it ', implying that before the war the Strait was open. Continuing on the subject, he said the Strait should not be militarised, a covert reference to America's policy regarding Panama canal. Regarding import of oil from Iran, China insisted on its right to do so, agreeing to import from America also. On the immediate issue of sale of weapons of arms to Iran, China assured that it will be complied with. The only unequivocal declaration was that Iran should not have nuclear weapons. Insignificant as the declarations were, their consequences are uncertain as no official agreements were signed. This must have been a rare summit where no official communiqué was issued on agreements reached. In the event all the ' agreements' reached in the summit, discussions are no more than declaration of intent lacking legal binding.

President Trump is fond of boasting about his genius as a dealmaker. During his second term as president there has been not a single deal worth mentioning, unless the kidnapping of president Maduro of Venezuela is considered as a deal. His most important visit to China and the summit meeting there with the Chinese counterpart is such a travesty of interrelations that it is destined to go down in history as trivial as a pleasure trip.​

 

[Saif]

Pentagon chief sounds 'alarm' over China's buildup, urges allies to boost defence spend

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Asian allies on Saturday to ramp up military spending to counter China’s growing power and prevent its dominance in the region, warning of “rightful alarm” over its rapid military buildup. Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Sin

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Pentagon chief sounds 'alarm' over China's buildup, urges allies to boost defence spend

REUTERS

Published :
May 30, 2026 18:01
Updated :
May 30, 2026 18:01

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Asian allies on Saturday to ramp up military spending to counter China’s growing power and prevent its dominance in the region, warning of “rightful alarm” over its rapid military buildup.

Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s premier forum for defence leaders, militaries and diplomats, said a stronger, more self-reliant network of allies is essential to deter aggression and preserve the balance of power.

“There is rightful alarm regarding China’s historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond,” he said.

“A Pacific dominated by any hegemon would unravel the regional balance of power,” Hegseth said. “No state, including China, can impose its hegemony and hold the security or prosperity of our nation and our allies in question.”

The US expects its Asian allies and partners to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP as it pledged a $1.5 trillion investment in its military, the Pentagon chief said.

“Less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs,” Hegseth said, stressing that the region needed greater defence capability than conferences. Allies want stability, not escalation, he said.

“What they want, and what the United States delivers, is strength that is disciplined, resolve that is steady, and leadership that is confident enough to speak and walk softly while carrying a big stick.”

Hegseth also struck a measured tone on US-China ties, saying relations are “better than they have been in many years,” with more frequent military-to-military engagement helping to manage tensions.

“We are meeting more frequently with our Chinese counterparts by maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication.”

Zhou Bo, a senior fellow at Tsinghua University and retired People’s Liberation Army senior colonel who was part of the Chinese delegation, described US-China relations as “complicated.”

Nonetheless, he said Hegseth struck “a much better tone” this year than last, attributing the shift to Trump’s visit to China.

“Both sides have open channels of communication, the situation is not as exaggerated as the outside world makes it out to be,” Zhou said.

China, whose defence minister is skipping the dialogue for a second consecutive year, accused Hegseth last year of making “vilifying” remarks.

“NO FREELOADING”

Hegseth echoed President Donald Trump’s long-standing demand that allies shoulder more of their own defence costs. Trump has pointedly said European and NATO partners should reduce reliance on Washington.

“The era of the United States subsidising the defence of wealthy nations is over,” Hegseth said. “We need partners, not protectorates,” he added. “We don’t have a strong alliance unless everyone has skin in the game. No freeloading.”

Hegseth praised contributions from allies including South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and said Japan was taking concrete steps to bolster its defences.

Tokyo and Washington “must each pull our weight to strengthen the US-Japan alliance,” he said.

READY TO RESTART STRIKES ON IRAN

On the Middle East conflict, Hegseth said the United States stands ready to resume strikes on Iran if diplomacy fails, as negotiators from Washington and Tehran work to bridge major differences blocking a deal.

“Our ability to recommence if necessary...we are more than capable,” Hegseth said. He added that Trump remains “patient” and is seeking a “strong deal” to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.

Trump said on Friday he would convene advisers in a secure White House setting to make a “final determination” on a proposal to end the Iran war.

Hegseth also pushed back on concerns the conflict would distract from Asia-Pacific priorities.

“We can do two things at one time.”

ARMS SALES DECISION TO TAIWAN IS TRUMP’S CALL

In his speech, Hegseth made no mention of Taiwan, a hotspot in relations between the US and China.

When asked about arms sales to the island during questions that followed, Hegseth downplayed concerns that a multi-billion-dollar package could be affected as the United States draws down its weapons stockpiles amid the Middle East conflict. “We feel very good about our stockpiles and how we use them,” he said.

Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has been waiting for the US to approve an arms sale that Reuters reported could be worth up to $14 billion.

Trump sowed uncertainty in Taipei by saying, after meeting China’s President Xi Jinping this month, that he was undecided on whether to approve the package.

Any decision on future arms sales would rest with President Trump, Hegseth said, signalling no shift in Washington’s longstanding approach despite recent engagement with Beijing.

“Those decisions will depend on the president and the nature of that relationship,” Hegseth said. “There’s been no change in our status.”​