The Illusion of Engagement: Why a US-China Détente Remains Elusive Under Trump
The second Trump administration’s approach to China, marked by a surprising softening of rhetoric and a pursuit of engagement, is proving less a strategic breakthrough and more a tactical maneuver exploited by Beijing. While the initial phase of the first term saw a disruptive trade war culminating in the largely unfulfilled Phase One agreement, the current trajectory suggests a pattern of US concessions met with minimal reciprocal action, ultimately reinforcing China’s long-term strategic position. This analysis will dissect the dynamics at play, demonstrating why a genuine détente remains a distant prospect, and how beijing is skillfully leveraging washington’s desire for engagement to its own advantage.
The Failed Promise of Phase One and the Pursuit of New Deals
The Phase One trade agreement, signed in 2020, serves as a cautionary tale. Despite acknowledging its shortcomings – especially China’s failure to meet promised purchasing commitments - the Trump administration continues to seek further deals.This persistence, while seemingly pragmatic, reveals a fundamental miscalculation: the assumption that economic incentives can fundamentally alter China’s strategic calculus. Beijing views these agreements not as ends in themselves, but as opportunities to delay, deflect, and ultimately strengthen its own position.
Xi’s Strategic Game: Keeping Trump Invested
President Xi Jinping’s strategy is remarkably astute. He understands that keeping Donald Trump engaged, even in a series of largely symbolic meetings (as evidenced by the commitment to three meetings in 2026), serves china’s interests. This engagement, however, carries the risk of frustrating Trump, perhaps unleashing more hawkish elements within his administration. However, this risk appears mitigated for the time being.
Crucially,Trump’s public commitment to future meetings has inadvertently handed Xi a significant advantage. By anchoring Trump to these engagements, Beijing has effectively removed a key bargaining chip and gained valuable time – time to consolidate its economic and military strength, and to prepare for a prolonged period of strategic competition.
Concessions Without Reciprocity: A Natural Experiment in Appeasement
the Trump administration’s attempts to appease Beijing represent a revealing “natural experiment.” The results are stark: despite significant US concessions on sensitive issues like taiwan and technology controls, Beijing has offered exceedingly little in return. Rather, China is demonstrably “pocketing” US concessions, identifying new leverage points, and utilizing periods of tactical truce to fortify its long-term competitive advantage.
This dynamic underscores the inherent danger of appeasement – a principle repeatedly validated by history. Rather than fostering a more constructive relationship, concessions simply invite further demands and embolden assertive behavior.The line between seeking détente and engaging in appeasement is indeed thin,and current US policy appears to be dangerously close to the latter.
Trump’s Unique Position and Beijing’s Calculated Response
While the Trump administration’s diplomatic approach has often been characterized as erratic, the President retains a unique ability to disrupt established consensus on China – a consensus he initially helped create. A genuine commitment to détente, backed by political capital, coudl theoretically shift US policy. However, the primary obstacle isn’t internal US politics, but Beijing’s own strategic objectives.
Xi Jinping is not pursuing a “big deal” or a genuine détente. He believes time is on China’s side, that its relative power will continue to grow, and that any agreement now would only constrain its future ambitions.Furthermore, beijing views proposals like arms control negotiations with deep suspicion, perceiving them as echoes of Cold War strategies employed by the US against the soviet Union. The widely held assumption in Washington that China desires a stable bilateral relationship is, at best, inaccurate and, at worst, dangerously misleading.
A New Equilibrium on Beijing’s Terms
Recent actions by China – including the strategic incoherence surrounding “Liberation Day” and the subsequent de-escalation of the trade war – demonstrate a clear intent to constrain US pushback. Beijing aims to establish a new equilibrium in the US-China relationship, one defined by its terms, not Washington’s.
The US still possesses leverage, but the perceived lack of willingness to escalate, coupled with attempts to mollify Beijing ahead of key diplomatic engagements, has led China to conclude that Washington is unlikely to forcefully challenge its growing influence. This perception is a critical strategic victory for Beijing.
Looking Ahead: A Realistic Assessment
The pursuit of engagement with China under the current administration, while understandable, is proving to be a strategic misstep. Beijing is not interested in a genuine détente; it is focused on reshaping the international order to its advantage.A more effective US strategy requires a clear-eyed assessment of China’s ambitions, a strengthening of alliances, and a willingness to confront Beijing’s assertive behavior.
The illusion of engagement must be replaced with a realistic understanding of the long-term
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