Trump Meets Xi Amid Strained US Alliances and China's Growing Global Trade Ties

Trump-Xi Meeting Underway

President Donald Trump is engaged in a two-day meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This summit occurs as the U.S. attempts to exert pressure on China through tariffs and technology restrictions, a strategy pursued for several years.

Challenges in US Pressure on China

The U.S. effort to isolate China is complicated by Beijing's strengthened global trade relationships and its own economic leverage, particularly in areas like rare earths. China's global trade surplus is on track to exceed $1 trillion for the second consecutive year, with a projected $1.2 trillion in 2025, even as its exports to the U.S. have decreased.

Strained Alliance Relationships

Trump's approach has strained relationships with traditional U.S. allies due to disputes over tariffs, defense spending, and personal disagreements. These allies are increasingly seeking to maintain independent positions between the U.S. and China, rather than uniformly supporting U.S. efforts against Beijing.

Impact on US Leverage

According to Ryan Hass of the Brookings Institution, China is presenting itself as a stable counterweight to the U.S. While the U.S. retains significant power, its leverage is diminished without a united front from allies. The Lowy Institute scored U.S. defense networks at 81.4 compared to China's 18.9 in 2025, but China benefits if U.S. allies are less willing to act in concert with Washington.