Trump sees US-China relationship as personal friendship while Xi views US as an adversary

Erin Ogunkeye welcomed Henrietta Levin, Senior Fellow with the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, for a discussion on U.S.–China relations.

Levin noted that while the United States remains a powerful actor in its relationship with China, the power reflected on paper does not automatically translate into leverage at the negotiating table. She warned that President Trump’s highly personalized approach to Xi Jinping creates opportunities that Beijing can easily exploit. In contrast, Xi does not view the relationship in the same way; he sees the United States as an adversary to be managed while China pursues its domestic priorities and strategic objectives in Asia, including on Taiwan.

Erin Ogunkeye welcomed Henrietta Levin, and Levin warned that Trump’s personalized approach offers Beijing opportunities while Xi views the U.S. as an adversary to be managed.