Trump softens China stance, gives Xi passes on Iran and trade

September 20, 2026 at 07:34 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

President Donald Trump has adopted a conciliatory tone toward Chinese President Xi Jinping, praising him as a 'great gentleman' and shrugging off reports of Chinese aid to Iran. Trump's shift follows failed tariff pressure and comes as he prepares a state dinner for Xi on Thursday. The approach has drawn criticism that he is undermining U.S. alliances while China gains leverage.

Key Facts

Trump called Xi a 'great gentleman' and said 'we get along great' this month.
Trump dismissed reports that China provided Iran with satellite imagery, saying 'I think he’s behaved reasonably well.'
Trump traveled to Beijing in May and may meet Xi two more times this year at international summits.
Michael Kovrig, senior adviser at the International Crisis Group, said Trump's initial use of super-high tariffs and export restrictions was unsuccessful and Xi came out on top in the contest of leverage.
Trump has launched a potentially brutal trade fight with Canada and mocked French President Emmanuel Macron in speeches.

Shift in Tone

Trump has increasingly spoken in glowing terms about Xi, whom he will fete with a state dinner on Thursday. He said this month, 'He’s a great gentleman; we get along great.' Trump also indicated hesitation to retaliate over China's alleged access to U.S. voter files in 2020, saying 'I think China is maybe a little bit different today than it was then.'

Failed Tariff Pressure

Trump's efforts last year to confront China with a mounting set of tariffs backfired. China holds a relative monopoly on rare earths used in electronics and deployed that to help force a trade armistice with Trump. Michael Kovrig, a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group, said Trump dramatically shifted his approach because his initial attempt to use super-high tariffs and export restrictions was unsuccessful. Kovrig added that Xi and Trump got into a contest of leverage, and Xi came out on top.

Alliance Strain

Trump has largely undermined the economic and national security alliances that could previously apply pressure on China, according to Kovrig. He has mocked French President Emmanuel Macron in speeches and run hot and cold on NATO after several members did not fully support his choice to start a war with Iran. Trump has launched a potentially brutal trade fight with Canada, a longtime ally he has trolled as becoming the 51st American state. Kovrig said Trump is executing Xi's wedge tactics for him and helping Xi tell a story about China as the more stable and responsible power.