Trump in China: A Red Carpet and a Message to All Chinese
With the landing of Air Force One at exactly 7:53 PM local time in Beijing, a new chapter in Chinese-American relations begins—or so the carefully choreographed scene at the airport is meant to suggest. Red carpet, honor guard, military band, and hundreds of young Chinese in blue-and-white uniforms waving flags of both nations. The airport is brilliantly lit, and along the expressway into the city center, the flags of China and the United States flutter in the night air.
Then Donald Trump steps out of the plane, slowly descends the gangway. At the foot of the stairs, China's Vice President Han Zheng awaits. The two men shake hands, and a girl in a red dress presents a bouquet of flowers. Trump smiles, turns to Han, and they walk side by side along the carpet. At the end waits 'The Beast,' the armored presidential limousine flown in especially for the visit. 'This is going to be an exciting trip,' Trump said before departure. 'A lot of good things will happen.'
Security and Symbolism: China's Message of Control
That this evening in Beijing is not only about friendship becomes clear from the security measures. Streets around the hotels of the American delegation are cordoned off, barriers erected, police officers stationed. Police vehicles block entrances, and at numerous intersections in Beijing, security forces redirect traffic. Even at the Temple of Heaven, which Trump is scheduled to visit on Thursday, precautions have been tightened. The message is the same as on the tarmac, but in a different language: Beijing controls this visit down to the smallest detail.
Nine years have passed since a US president last set foot on Chinese soil. Now it is Trump again. During his first visit in 2017, he was received with full honors, and Xi Jinping led him through the Forbidden City. This time, the two will meet on Thursday morning at the Great Hall of the People. Then the real summit begins: three days of Beijing choreography, with talks, a banquet, and a side trip to the Temple of Heaven.
Much is at stake simultaneously: the war in Iran and the blocked Strait of Hormuz, tariffs and trade, Taiwan, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and rare earths. Trump has brought an illustrious economic delegation: among them Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and Blackrock CEO Larry Fink. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are also on board.
Hundreds of thousands of Chinese followed the landing in real time via livestreams on the internet. Those who could comment mostly wrote the same thing: 'Our country is strong!' Beijing's choreography has found its audience especially at home—because it is intended, not least, to send a message to China's own people that the nation meets the United States as an equal.
A Historic Context: US-China Relations Over the Decades
The last US presidential visit to China was in 2017, when Trump himself was hosted by Xi Jinping. But the relationship has deteriorated since then, with trade wars, technology bans, and escalating rhetoric over Taiwan. The Trump administration imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, and the Biden administration largely continued those policies while adding restrictions on advanced chips and AI technology. China responded with retaliatory tariffs and export controls on rare earths. The visit thus represents a potential thaw, but also a high-stakes negotiation.
The red carpet treatment is a traditional Chinese diplomatic tool to show respect and to signal goodwill. However, it also serves as a propaganda tool for domestic audiences: by welcoming Trump with full honors, Xi demonstrates that China is strong enough to treat the US president as a guest rather than a rival. The comment 'Our country is strong!' reflects this nationalist sentiment.
The Delegation: Titans of US Industry
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has a deep interest in the Chinese market. Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai is the company’s largest, producing over 700,000 vehicles per year. China is also a key supplier of rare earths and lithium, essential for Musk’s battery and electric vehicle ambitions. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, relies on China for the assembly of iPhones and other products. Apple has long sought to diversify its supply chain, but China remains indispensable. Jensen Huang of Nvidia is at the center of the AI chip war; China is a major market for Nvidia’s chips, but export restrictions threaten that. Larry Fink of BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, manages trillions in assets and has significant investments in China.
The inclusion of these CEOs underscores the economic stakes. Trade between the US and China is the largest bilateral trade relationship in the world, totaling over $600 billion annually. Any disruption would have global repercussions.
Key Issues on the Table
Taiwan remains the most sensitive issue. China seeks a commitment from the US not to support Taiwan independence or sell advanced weapons. The Trump administration has been ambiguous on Taiwan, sometimes signaling flexibility. The Strait of Hormuz and Iran situation could also affect oil markets, and China is the world’s largest oil importer. Tariffs, which Trump imposed in 2018, have been partially relaxed but still affect billions in trade. Semiconductors and AI are areas where both sides seek cooperation but also compete fiercely. Rare earths, which China controls over 90% of global refining, are critical for defense and high-tech industries.
The visit is tightly scripted, but the outcome remains uncertain. Analysts expect a possible agreement to restart trade talks, but major breakthroughs are unlikely. For now, the ceremony in Beijing sets the stage for what could be a defining moment in US-China relations.
Source: Süddeutsche.de News