"Can the U.S. and China overcome the 'Thucydides Trap'?" <Chinese President Xi Jinping>
"It is an honor to meet you again and be friends." <U.S. President Donald Trump>
On the morning of May 14, Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing for the first time in six months. Their opening remarks revealed a stark contrast in tone. Xi emphasized the importance of managing U.S.-China tensions and preventing conflict, while Trump focused on praising Xi and highlighting their personal friendship.
Xi and Trump Agree on Building a Constructive, Strategic, and Stable Relationship
During the approximately 135-minute meeting, both leaders agreed on the need to manage U.S.-China relations stably and create a framework for future cooperation.
According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, Xi stated, "We agreed with President Trump to establish 'a constructive, strategic, and stable relationship' as a new guideline for our bilateral relations," adding that this would provide a strategic direction for U.S.-China relations for more than three years.
However, U.S. media noted the subtle tension reflected in the leaders' remarks. The Associated Press reported that while Trump continued with his customary praise, Xi warned of potential conflicts. This highlighted the differences in their positions on sensitive issues such as the Iran conflict, trade disputes, and U.S.-Taiwan relations, suggesting that the summit might end with more symbolism than substantive breakthroughs.
Xi also raised the question of whether the U.S. and China could overcome the 'Thucydides Trap,' a term he has frequently used since 2014 to describe the potential for conflict between a rising power and an established one. He emphasized that both leaders must work together to prevent hegemonic competition from leading to conflict. He stated, "The U.S. and China should maintain a partnership, not an adversarial relationship, to achieve mutual success and common prosperity, paving the right path for great power relations in the new era."
Xi warned that the Taiwan issue is the most critical matter in U.S.-China relations, indicating that mishandling it could lead to conflict.
In contrast, Trump's opening remarks were filled with praise for Xi and China. He referred to Xi as a "great leader" and said, "People may dislike it when I say this, but I say it because it is true." He added, "It is a great honor to meet you again and be friends," emphasizing that U.S.-China relations could reach the best level in history.
Xi Meets U.S. Business Leaders, Promises Greater Market Openness
Economic and trade issues were also significant topics during the meeting, but no immediate outcomes were announced. Notably, the summit featured a rare gathering of top officials from both countries alongside prominent American business leaders. During the meeting, Xi met with Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla; Tim Cook, CEO of Apple; Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA; and over ten other U.S. business leaders.
Trump remarked, "This delegation is made up of great American business leaders, all of whom respect China and look forward to expanding cooperation."
Xi responded, "China's door will be opened even wider in the future," emphasizing that U.S. companies have been deeply involved in China's reform and opening process. He added, "China welcomes U.S. companies to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with China."
According to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. business leaders expressed high regard for the importance of the Chinese market and their willingness to expand operations and strengthen cooperation in China.
After the meeting, Musk described it as "excellent, with many good things happening." Jensen Huang stated, "The meeting went very well, and both President Xi and President Trump were incredible." Tim Cook responded to reporters' questions with a thumbs-up.
Limited Concrete Outcomes Amidst Fanfare; Attention Turns to Zhongnanhai Meeting
However, following the summit, no specific agreements were disclosed regarding the previously mentioned establishment of a U.S.-China Trade Commission and Investment Commission, the expansion of Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products, aircraft, and energy, or the extension of the trade truce and tariff reductions.
Regarding major security issues such as the Iran conflict and North Korea's nuclear program, the Chinese side only briefly stated that the two leaders exchanged views on international and regional issues, including the Middle East situation, the Ukraine crisis, and the Korean Peninsula.
While the first day of the summit was filled with grand events and symbolic moments, evaluations suggest that the concrete outcomes were limited.
After the meeting, Trump and Xi took a stroll together in Beijing's Temple of Heaven Park, a site historically used for imperial sacrifices to heaven. The two leaders walked and conversed for about 30 minutes starting around 1 p.m., accompanied only by interpreters.
Later that evening, a state banquet was held at the Great Hall of the People, attended by Xi, Premier Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau, Li Xi, Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier, among other top-ranking officials of the Chinese Communist Party.
On May 15, Xi is expected to invite Trump to Zhongnanhai, the heart of Chinese power, for tea and lunch.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.