Xi’s Long Game: Trump’s Beijing Visit Exposes Waning U.S. Leverage

Gideon Rachman argues that Trump arrives in Beijing weakened by Iran and a tough trade fight, while Xi Jinping has the leverage—chiefly through rare earths and critical minerals—and is playing a long game. Beijing may give Trump a few 'wins' via big-ticket purchases or investments, but real leverage lies in Taiwan and incremental concessions. The piece suggests China’s strategy is to win slowly rather than risk broad multilateral failure.