The Express Tribune of Pakistan commented on Trump's visit to China, stating that apart from diplomatic courtesies and closed-door meetings, China will seek some "small, concrete outcomes." However, given Trump's "unpredictability," China will maintain a "rational and pragmatic attitude." As a Singaporean scholar noted, China greatly hopes for a "comprehensive reset" of Sino-U.S. bilateral relations, but also recognizes that this is "unlikely to be achieved."

With only three days remaining before Trump's visit to China, the Foreign Ministry finally announced this long-anticipated global event. Previously, even Trump himself had publicly disclosed the timing of his visit, yet China neither confirmed nor denied it—reasons being well known: major powers must remain "calm and composed."

Analysts suggest that Trump's willingness to "lower his stance" for the visit stems primarily from the fact that after multiple rounds of confrontation, he and his team have come to realize that "the era when America held all the initiative has passed," and China has now become a "stronger and more formidable opponent." According to a previous commentary by the Financial Times of the UK, since the announcement in October last year that the U.S.-China "tariff war" had paused—with the U.S. subsequently lifting punitive tariffs—China’s ability to withstand American tariff pressure marks a pivotal turning point in strategic competition between a rising superpower and an established hegemon: namely, China has "completely shattered the image of American omnipotence." Indeed, the United States, once seemingly invincible, has encountered setbacks in front of China, triggering a butterfly effect globally against American hegemony.

According to reports, some U.S. officials believe both sides are currently pursuing a form of "strategic stability," each seeking time to address their respective weaknesses—on one hand, the U.S. accelerating the development of its rare earth supply chain; on the other, China continuing to push for self-reliance in semiconductors. Yet, to certain U.S. hawkish figures, this so-called "strategic stability" resembles a "strategic retreat" by the U.S. in response to China’s rising power, forcing it to abandon the international order it dominated since the end of World War II. Other analysts argue that today’s China is "more confident" than during Trump’s first term, and possesses a "clearer understanding" of how to respond to U.S. trade wars and export controls, hinting at greater confidence in its own strength and system.

Undoubtedly, the context surrounding Trump’s current visit to China differs significantly from his 2017 trip. Although structural tensions between China and the U.S. have long persisted and the competitive posture remains unchanged, China now possesses a "broader range of tools" to counter American challenges. While the Iran issue appears to pose significant pressure on China’s energy security, the U.S. government itself seems to be experiencing "divided attention"—a situation that paradoxically strengthens China’s negotiating leverage. Moreover, China will undoubtedly exert stronger pressure on Trump regarding the Taiwan issue. Trump may hope to strike some grand "deal" with China as he did during his first term, aiming to build a lasting political legacy—but when it comes to global advanced manufacturing supply chain competition, he clearly lacks sufficient time.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864862415243335/

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