Trump’s Visit to China: A Unique Encounter
President Trump experienced a lavish welcome in China last week at a grand ceremony in the Great Hall of the People. Given that China is about 6,500 miles away from the U.S. and stoutly protected by its military, it stands as a major competitor in terms of military and intelligence. Interestingly, it might just be the most secure location Trump has visited in two years.
Chinese state media approached the coverage of Trump’s visit with special caution, depicting him with a level of respect usually reserved for a wild animal unexpectedly wandering into a gathering. Just prior to this visit, Trump had been on a hunting trip in the U.S., where he reportedly had quite an impressive tally of rhinos, more than any president since Teddy Roosevelt.
The fascination among Chinese citizens watching his visit was palpable. In China, it is common for political leaders to display a dignified demeanor, yet here was Trump—his red tie waving, speaking in all caps, and meandering through international discussions with a casualness reminiscent of a freestyle rapper.
In a humorous twist, pandas have become symbols of national identity in China, thanks to their uncanny ability to eat endlessly while avoiding accountability—traits some might argue are quite relatable.
We rely on China, and they rely on us. Good trade relationships can actually help avert conflicts. From a smart standpoint, maintaining harmony with China is essential. Frédéric Bastiat, a 19th-century economist, once said, “If goods do not cross borders, soldiers will.”
Currently, China is home to around 7,000 McDonald’s locations, while Vietnam, once viewed as an adversary, may soon have around 100. One has to wonder what General Westmoreland and President Johnson would say today about the growing U.S. influence there.
I do support free trade, though Trump argues that it isn’t fair when tariffs aren’t mutual. Recently, with the implementation of tariffs, the Commerce Department has reported a notable decrease in the trade deficit with China since 2025. That’s certainly a step in the right direction.
Despite this progress, our stores are still filled with inexpensive goods from China. Just last month, a woman in Utah gave birth in a Walmart checkout line, and oddly enough, that might have been the only American-made item in the entire store.
New statues in China seem to serve as reminders to the populace of the reason behind their hard work—perhaps resembling a Walmart shopper in pajamas.
Trump has a knack for forging connections with influential figures when it benefits the U.S., something the Democrats seem to struggle with, often choosing to demonize their counterparts. Interestingly, Biden did not visit China during his presidency. Although he didn’t trip down Air Force One steps to negotiate with them, he did accept financial contributions from their influence for his projects.
During this visit, one topic was birthright citizenship, as Chinese nationals often fly to the U.S. to have their babies, obtaining citizenship for them. This situation raises questions about identity—can one claim to be something simply because of where they were born?
We also had discussions about espionage. Chinese spies are reportedly quite pervasive. For instance, Arcadia’s mayor had to resign after pleading guilty to spying for China, which drew typical reactions from Californians. In the aftermath, Congressman Eric Swalwell even sent her flowers—quite the peculiar gesture.
A lingering question pertains to whether the U.S. would defend Taiwan if China were to invade. When a group of Democratic candidates attended the Munich Security Conference, they were caught off guard when asked this straightforward question. AOC fumbled her response so badly that it prompted Mitch McConnell to check if she was alright.
On a lighter note, AOC’s presidential aspirations looked like a gold-medal performance in women’s downhill skiing—rather amusing given the context.
China’s military hasn’t been in any direct conflict for around forty years, while the U.S. finds itself tangled in consistent wars. At this moment, with the situation in Iran, discussing a military engagement with China may not even be on the table until 2027. It seems our calendar is quite booked, and defense contractors likely have an eye on solid profits ahead.
