Beijing optics, little substance as Trump leaves without major concessions

President Trump spent two days in Beijing with Xi Jinping, prioritizing personal diplomacy but leaving without meaningful concessions from China, which signaled confidence in American decline. The White House labeled the trip a success, while foreign-policy hawks criticized the shift toward friendship and “constructive strategic stability.” Taiwan’s status remained murky, with Trump hedging on U.S. defense commitments and arms sales. The delegation’s composition—featuring Lara Trump, Eric Trump, and others—highlighted a blend of politics and business symbolism amid a broader sense that no major breakthroughs were achieved on trade or Iran-related issues.