"Neue Züricher Zeitung" and "Süddeutsche Zeitung": China-US Trump-Xi meeting cannot conceal the deep contradictions in trade and geopolitics

(Deutsche Welle Chinese website) "Neue Züricher Zeitung" commented that although the special meeting with Xi Jinping was grand, the outcome worth mentioning was that the trade "truce" was temporarily maintained. But as long as the root causes of the trade conflict between China and the United States cannot be eliminated, the trade war may break out at any time. This comment titled "Foie Gras Cannot Replace Free Trade" reads:

"The new tariff agreement between China and the United States can only barely act as a fig leaf at best. After the Trump-Xi meeting in May this year, trade representatives from both sides have been bargaining on non-sensitive products worth US$60 billion that do not involve national security. The final negotiation results only cover a very small part of bilateral trade, and the specific content is even more ridiculous: China has reduced tariffs on imported foie gras from the United States, and in return, the United States will also reduce tariffs on Chinese imported flashlights and electric irons.

Core issues and important commodities are not addressed. What can really benefit the Chinese economy is not foie gras from the United States, but American computer chips. What the United States urgently needs is not cheap Chinese flashlights, but magnets and rare earths. The United States believes that the number of magnets supplied by China is less than the amount agreed by the two sides in 2025. In addition, China's commitment to purchase more U.S. corn and grains has not yet been fulfilled.

Although the special meeting between Xi and Xi was grand and harmonious on the surface, the two countries' different views on their respective international status and the global trading system are still very prominent. Xi Jinping said in Washington that China and the United States can completely avoid falling into the "Thucydides Trap". This allusion, named after the ancient Greek historian, refers to the inevitable conflict between a rising power with high confidence and a declining power full of doubts. "

On the surface, this seems to be an optimistic view of the prospects for Sino-US relations. But to Trump, it was more of an insult. Xi Jinping is saying that China has embarked on the path of catching up with the United States and therefore deserves a different international status than before. But in Trump’s eyes, the United States is in a ‘golden age’ and is by no means a declining power that should give way. "

Neue Zürcher Zeitung commented that this special meeting between Xi and Xi showed a harmonious atmosphere, which is certainly a good thing. However, the harmonious relationship between the leaders of China and the United States is not enough to stabilize the relationship between the two countries, let alone avoid the resumption of the bilateral trade war:

“The fact that the two leaders extended the trade ‘truce’ for just two months speaks volumes. Trump hopes that everything will be calm before the mid-term elections in early November, but he also retains the option of restarting the war after the elections. And Beijing is ready to take countermeasures at any time. All in all, a few boxes of foie gras cannot hide the risk of a renewed trade war. Once the Sino-US trade war breaks out, the other 193 countries in the world will surely suffer. "

“Trump desperately wants Xi Jinping’s approval”

Last week, U.S. President Trump went to the airport to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the welcome ceremony, when a B-2 bomber roared over the heads of the Chinese and American leaders, Trump frowned, while Xi Jinping showed no expression. "Süddeutsche Zeitung" commented that a carefully planned show of strength turned into a moment of weakness:

“The frequency of direct meetings between Chinese and American leaders this year has been incredibly high. For China, the reason is simple: Beijing does not have to worry that Xi Jinping will be publicly humiliated by Trump like Ukrainian President Zelensky. For Xi, this in itself is a sign of U.S. weakness: Washington can no longer afford to openly confront China, and Beijing is happy to show this to the world.

Trump made no mention of China’s provision of dual-use military and civilian goods to Iran, which may be used to produce drones and missiles; he made no mention of Beijing’s help in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; and he made no mention of China’s threats to its neighbors. Both Taiwan and Japan are confused, and they can hardly figure out whether the United States is a partner or a risk. On the contrary, Xi Jinping received the highest level of courtesy in the United States: hundreds of American soldiers lined up to welcome him, and Trump praised the "beautiful and sincere friendship." Trump obviously can no longer conceal his eagerness to gain Xi Jinping’s approval. Facing Xi Jinping, he will instinctively make a groveling gesture.

However, like all previous special-Xi summits, this China-US summit neither promoted an alliance between the two sides nor brought closer bilateral relations. Trump may think of himself as a master dealmaker, but China has never thought of it that way. Xi Jinping believes that China is engaging in a great power game, and in this game, trust is a sign of weakness. At the same time, he is also worried that the United States will try to overthrow China's current political system. Another obstacle that makes it difficult for China and the United States to build trust is that although Trump has always insisted on admiring and worshiping authoritarian rulers, he is fickle and unpredictable in other aspects. "