Trump and Xi: what's behind the friendly words?
US President Trump and Chinese President Xi have held several rounds of talks behind closed doors. Although little is known about what was discussed, both parties later emphasised their constructive cooperation. Trump spoke of friendship and a "great future". Xi said that the two countries could strengthen each other. Europe's press tries to figure out what is going on behind the scenes.
Struggle for global supremacy
Le Monde columnist Alain Frachon examines the fierce competition between China and the US:
“Both countries know what is crucial in the race for global supremacy: quantum computing and AI. In these areas, the two superpowers must reconcile the reality of their mutual dependence with their quest for autonomy. Beijing and Washington are cautiously imposing controls on particularly sensitive exports as a weapon: the Americans have the most advanced chips, the Chinese have rare earths. When it comes to technological supremacy between China and the US, the jury is still out.”
Beijing sees itself gaining ground
China is benefiting from the US's mistakes, writes Rzeczpospolita:
“The Chinese believe that time is on their side, not just economically and technologically but also from a geostrategic perspective. In their view, the best proof of this theory is the disastrous Iran conflict, from which the Americans are currently unable to extricate themselves. Admittedly, this conflict is also hitting China's economic interests hard because it depends on oil imports from the Persian Gulf. But in the long term, the tide could turn, because unlike Washington, Beijing has invested in renewable energies and aims to be a global leader in this field.”
US president getting sidetracked
The visit will do nothing to change the US's waning influence on the global stage, writes the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung:
“Trump may believe that the glow of China's strength will reflect on him, but he fails to recognise that China is using this trip to increase its own power. Xi specifically addressed the Taiwan issue and warned that American support for the island republic could lead to a conflict with China. The White House, by contrast, made no mention of Taiwan. ... Beijing is patiently and deliberately positioning itself to advance to the centre of the global order – a position it feels entitled to occupy. During his first term in office, Trump already identified China as the main threat to the United States, but instead of focusing on this, he is getting sidetracked.”
The Thucydides Trap
Corriere della Sera explains one of the metaphors used by Xi:
“Yesterday, Xi warned of the 'Thucydides Trap'. ... He was referring to the Athenian historian Thucydides' account of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta (431–404 BC), which was triggered by the rise of Athens and ultimately unleashed the conflict that devastated the civilisation at the time. ... Xi used this metaphor to warn the US against crossing the red line on the Taiwan issue and obstructing the 'historical inevitability of the island's reunification with mainland China.' This implies that China would resort to military force, if necessary, to regain Taiwan, even though it is aware of the devastating consequences of a conflict between superpowers.”
China in a difficult situation too
Commenting on the Chinese economy, Dagens Nyheter notes:
“China's economic miracle was abruptly halted by a property crisis five years ago. Since then, deflation has taken its toll on the country. Although strong exports are sustaining growth, they are based on low prices and wages, which reduce consumption and demand, and thus exacerbate deflation. China finds itself in a difficult situation. If we look at the causes of this problem, they lie not only in the enormous and substandard investment in housing construction, but also in Xi Jinping's thirst for control. ... Both domestic and foreign private investors and consumers are unsettled.”
Moving closer on certain issues
El Periódico de Catalunya sees signs of improved relations:
“Everything suggests that the visit will end in agreements that restore trust and stability between the two countries. … There are unlikely to be any historic breakthroughs on the two main points of contention – trade relations and the status of Taiwan. However, their positions are closer when it comes to the war in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. … Both leaders are moving closer on the subject of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the need to avoid Iran possessing nuclear weapons. These outcomes would ease political tensions and economic pressures worldwide.”
Europe in danger of losing out
The EU has many reasons to be worried about the meeting in Beijing, warns Delo:
“Should the presidents and negotiators reach an agreement, we can be sure that the Americans will expect preferential treatment regarding Chinese exports of rare earths. Europe, and the EU in particular, are likely to be relegated to the bottom of the list of buyers for these 21st-century raw materials. However, should Trump's team decide not to open the doors to Chinese electric cars, the European market can expect a flood of hundreds of millions of beautifully designed, high-quality and unbeatably cheap Chinese-made electric vehicles intended for export because the overcrowded domestic market can't absorb them. ... Neither Trump nor Xi see European interests as important.”