Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump held their first face-to-face meeting in six years in Busan, South Korea, sparking global interest in the future of superpower diplomacy. The talks – described by Fudan University’s Wu Xinbo as a "restart of head-of-state diplomacy" – highlighted both leaders’ push to stabilize relations amid geopolitical tensions. 🕊️
Why This Meeting Matters: Wu emphasized that Trump’s return to the White House has reshaped his view of China’s growing influence. "You don’t truly know each other until you’ve crossed swords," Wu noted, referencing Trump’s reported remark about Xi being a "tough negotiator." With China now in a stronger position, experts suggest the dynamic has shifted since their last meeting.
Key Takeaways:
🇨🇳 China’s Message: Define the relationship as partnership, not rivalry.
🇺🇸 U.S. Signal: Willingness to cooperate on shared goals.
💼 Economic Focus: Xi urged turning trade into a "driving force," not a "stumbling block" – a nod to avoiding tariff wars.
Wu highlighted China’s strategic moves, like rare earth export controls, as "Trump cards" ensuring Washington thinks twice before escalating tensions. 🔥 Will this détment last? Analysts say stability hinges on both sides prioritizing dialogue over confrontation.
