Trump visits Xi: the international fallout?
As well as friendly words about collaboration, China's head of state Xi also issued a stark warning to the visiting US president. The Taiwan issue has top priority in their bilateral relations, Xi insisted. If it was not handled properly, it could result in an "extremely dangerous situation". Trump, meanwhile, has said he has yet to greenlight a US arms package to Taiwan, describing it as a useful bargaining chip against China.
Presenting themselves as the world's leading duo
El País analyses the approach taken by both sides:
“China and the US were keen to turn the page with a summit that served as a stage for a thaw in their relations, even if it was devoid of substance. Without any agreements, the two countries wanted to present themselves as the world's leading duo at a time of great turmoil and European weakness. ... A sort of G2 to replace the G7, intended to guarantee 'constructive strategic stability', according to the Chinese concept. It was a move that allowed Xi to present himself on an equal footing with Trump, while the US president attempted to gloss over a series of glaring international blunders during his second term in office, from the defeat in the tariff and trade dispute to the catastrophic consequences of the war against Iran.”
Taiwan holds its breath
The meeting will certainly have increased the anxiety on the Taiwanese side, writes The Times:
“It would be well within character for [Trump] to treat Taiwan as he has Ukraine, where it is Putin the strongman he favours and Zelensky the victim he disdains. Instead of regarding Taiwan as a vibrant Asian democracy worth protecting, he seemed to be ticking it off. ... Little wonder some are worried. ... And yet if we are to take this notoriously loose-lipped man at his word, at other points Trump also warns China. ... Though his words are important, not least to the morale of the Taiwanese, it is missiles and munitions that will prevent China from making a move.”
Washington won't risk war for Taipeh
The US is leaving Taiwan high and dry, geopolitical analyst observes Lucio Caracciolo observes in La Repubblica:
“Does anyone seriously believe that the Americans are interested in starting a world war – i.e. risking their necks – to prevent Bejing from seizing this rebellious archipelago for which Xi Jinping has declared he is prepared to go to war? In diplomacy, language can conceal facts and intentions, create temporary visual scenarios, but it cannot permanently subvert reality. Especially when the facts are clear: any war between the US and China would rapidly escalate into a nuclear war. It might even begin as such. Washington does not want to die for Taipeh.”
The US can no longer be counted on
Info.cz laments the lack of transparency:
“There is one constant to Trump's foreign policy: it is unpredictable. Sometimes unpredictability can be an advantage, but on the Taiwan issue it's a risky game with potentially devastating implications. Allies need to know where they stand. Beijing needs to know the boundaries. And Taiwan needs to know whether it can count on the country that has promised it support for half a century. At a time when the world is again being divided up into spheres of influence, the unpredictability of a major power is a risk that its allies cannot afford. And Taiwan least of all.”