President Trump's recent praise for President Xi is a carefully calculated move to de-risk the tense U.S.-China relationship.
During his May 2026 summit in Beijing, President Trump described his relationship with President Xi as 'fantastic' and called him a 'great leader'. This wasn't just a casual compliment; it was a deliberate diplomatic signal. The primary goal of this friendly rhetoric is to protect the fragile truce that both sides have been building since late 2025. With major issues like Taiwan, technology controls, and tariffs still on the table, the summit's stated aim was 'stability', not a grand bargain. Trump's warm words serve to reinforce this stability, reducing the risk of an accidental escalation while sensitive talks continue.
This de-escalation didn't happen overnight, though. It's the latest step in a process that began with a trade truce agreed upon in October 2025. That agreement paused the escalating tariff war and was followed by other cooperative steps, like the resolution of the TikTok ownership dispute in January 2026 and a 'very positive' phone call between the two leaders in February. These actions created a foundation of cautious goodwill, making Trump's friendly tone in Beijing more credible and impactful.
However, this warmth doesn't erase the deep-seated disagreements. First, the issue of Taiwan remains a major point of friction. Just before the summit, Beijing reiterated that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are the 'biggest risk' in the relationship, a direct response to a record $11.1 billion arms package announced by the U.S. in December 2025. Second, the tech rivalry continues, with strict U.S. controls on advanced AI chip exports. Trump's conciliatory tone is a strategic tool to manage these tensions, creating a space for dialogue channels like the proposed 'Board of Trade' to function without being derailed by public hostility.
Ultimately, Trump's praise is a calibrated, transactional move. It's designed to preserve the current 'truce architecture'—a framework for managing conflict through dialogue, selective trade, and clear red lines. It protects the mechanisms that prevent shocks while both nations explore if any narrow, verifiable deals on things like commodities or minerals are still possible. The big problems aren't solved, but the immediate temperature has been lowered.
- Détente: A French term meaning the easing of strained relations, especially between countries.
- Truce Architecture: The set of agreements, communication channels, and understandings that maintain a temporary peace or 'truce' between rival powers.
- Red Lines: A figure of speech for a boundary or limit which, if crossed, will provoke a serious reaction.