With the landing of Air Force One at precisely 7:53 PM local time in Beijing, a new chapter in Sino-American friendship began—or so the choreography of the evening was meant to suggest. Red carpet, honor guard, military band, and hundreds of young Chinese in blue-and-white uniforms waving flags of both nations set the stage. The airport was brightly lit, and along the expressway into the city, Chinese and American flags fluttered in the wind.

Then Donald Trump emerged from the plane, slowly descending the gangway. At the foot of the stairs, China's Vice President Han Zheng awaited him. The two men shook hands, and a girl in a red dress presented a bouquet. Trump smiled, turned to Han, and they walked together along the carpet. At the end waited "The Beast," the armored limousine flown in specially for the US president. "This is going to be an exciting trip," Trump had said before departure. "Many good things will happen."

A Carefully Orchestrated Welcome

That the evening was not solely about friendship was evident from the security measures. Streets around the American delegation's hotels were closed, barriers erected, and police stationed. Police vehicles blocked entrances, and security personnel redirected traffic at numerous intersections in Beijing. Even at the Temple of Heaven, which Trump was scheduled to visit on Thursday, precautions were tightened. The message was the same as on the tarmac, but in a different language: Beijing controlled this visit down to the smallest detail.

For nine years, no US president had set foot on Chinese soil. Now Trump was back. During his first visit in 2017, he had been received with full honors, and Xi Jinping had led him through the Forbidden City. This time, the two leaders were to meet on Thursday morning at the Great Hall of the People. Then the real summit would begin: three days of Beijing choreography, with talks, a banquet, and a excursion to the Temple of Heaven.

High Stakes and a Star-Studded Delegation

Much was at stake: the war in Iran and the blocked Strait of Hormuz, tariffs and trade, Taiwan, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and rare earths. Trump brought an illustrious economic delegation: Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and Blackrock CEO Larry Fink. Also on board were Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Hundreds of thousands of Chinese watched the landing in real time via online livestreams. Those who could comment mostly wrote the same thing: "Our country is strong!" Beijing's choreography had found its audience at home—for it was meant to send a message to its own people that China was meeting the United States as an equal.

Historical Context and Trade Tensions

The visit came at a critical juncture. Trump's first term had seen a trade war with China, with tariffs on billions of dollars in goods. The two sides had reached a Phase One deal in early 2020, but tensions remained. Now, with Trump back in office and a new round of negotiations, the stakes were even higher. China had been investing heavily in its own technology sector to reduce reliance on US chips and software. At the same time, the US had imposed export controls on advanced semiconductors and AI technology.

The presence of Musk, Cook, and other tech leaders signaled that business interests were a priority. Tesla had a massive factory in Shanghai, and Apple relied on Chinese manufacturing for most of its products. For China, these executives represented both opportunity and leverage. The talks were expected to cover not only trade imbalances but also intellectual property protection and market access.

Security and Symbolism

The security apparatus was a reminder of the authoritarian state's control. Thousands of police and paramilitary forces were deployed, not only for Trump's safety but also to prevent any protests or dissent. The Chinese government had carefully curated the public narrative, emphasizing the warm welcome and the mutual benefits of the relationship. State media broadcast the arrival live, and social media platforms were flooded with patriotic comments.

For ordinary Chinese, the visit was a moment of national pride. Many saw it as validation of China's rise as a global power. The red carpet, the honor guard, and the military band were all symbols of a country that no longer bowed to foreign pressure. The message to the Chinese people was clear: under Xi Jinping's leadership, China was strong and respected on the world stage.

At the same time, the visit had its awkward moments. Trump's unpredictability was well known, and his rhetoric on trade and Taiwan had often been confrontational. But for now, the choreography held. The two leaders would meet, shake hands, and sit down for what were expected to be intense discussions.

The Road Ahead

As Trump's motorcade snaked through the streets of Beijing, the city was on high alert. The American delegation would stay at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, a complex of villas that had hosted many foreign dignitaries. The agenda for the next three days included a state banquet, a tour of the Forbidden City, and a visit to the Great Wall. But behind the scenes, diplomats and advisors were preparing for tough negotiations.

One key issue was Taiwan. Trump had previously questioned the US commitment to defend Taiwan, but he had also sold weapons to the island. China saw Taiwan as a red line and demanded that the US stop all official contacts and arms sales. Another issue was the war in Iran, where China had been a major buyer of Iranian oil despite US sanctions. The blockage of the Strait of Hormuz threatened global oil supplies, and both sides had an interest in stability.

Artificial intelligence was also on the agenda. The US had imposed export controls on AI chips, and China was developing its own AI ecosystem. The two sides might agree to some form of cooperation, but the trust deficit was deep. Similarly, rare earths—essential for high-tech manufacturing—were a point of contention. China controlled most of the global supply, and the US wanted to secure its own sources.

Despite the tensions, the visit was a reminder that the two largest economies in the world were intertwined. The presence of CEOs from companies that depended on Chinese consumers and factories underscored the economic reality. Trump, always a dealmaker, seemed eager to strike a bargain. Whether he could overcome the structural differences remained to be seen.

As night fell over Beijing, the city continued its vigil. The red carpet was rolled up, the military band fell silent, but the diplomacy was just beginning. Trump and Xi would meet the next morning, and the world would watch to see whether this visit marked a new era or more of the same.

Source: Süddeutsche.de News