MICHAEL SCHUMAN: Trump, Xi and lose-lose diplomacy
'The Trump-Xi summit was a “lose-lose” proposition. By focusing on headline-friendly deals, the two leaders shunted aside the more difficult economic challenges facing the U.S.-China relationship'
China’s President Xi Jinping likes to talk of “win-win” diplomacy and this week’s official visit by President Donald Trump to Beijing would seem to fall into that category. Trump walked away with a very tweetable $250 billion in deals -- covering everything from aircraft to soybeans -- to brag about to his domestic supporters. Xi, like so many Chinese leaders before him, appears to have shipped off the barbarian chieftain with a few baubles to distract him from harassing the empire. The reality, though, is that the Trump-Xi summit was a “lose-lose” proposition. By focusing on headline-friendly deals, the two leaders shunted aside the more difficult economic challenges facing the U.S.-China relationship -- and set back the long-term interests of both their nations.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.