How Xi appeared to outmanoeuvre Trump at their summit
The Chinese leader was unmoved by his rival’s flattery, and surprised Trump by threatening to call off the trip
MANY words and photographs have been published about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s landmark visit to Washington from Wednesday (Sep 23) to Friday.
However, the defining moment was US President Donald Trump’s decision to greet Xi on his arrival at Joint Base Andrews with an 100-foot red carpet, in addition to a 21-member honour guard and military flyover.
The highly unusual, deferential greeting cements China’s – and much of the world’s – perception of Xi as at least Trump’s equal. It also symbolises the changing balance of power in the bilateral relationship.
