Trump’s Greeting by Chinese School Girls
Renee Parsons
Given President Donald Trump’s expectations for a successful high stakes meeting on trade, AI and rare earth minerals during his first bilateral summit to China in nine years, he was accompanied by more than a dozen of the World’s Greatest Businessmen/women.
Prior to departure for China, President Trump had said that “Xi Jinping will NOT touch Taiwan while he’s in the White House” while just ahead of liftoff, a bipartisan group of Senators forwarded a letter to the President.
The letter suggested they had unrealistically high expectations for the President to “make clear that America’s support for Taiwan is inviolable” and went on to suggest that “You can make clear to Beijing that as you seek to level the economic playing field, American support for Taiwan is not up for negotiation.”
In addition, the letter requested that the President ” formally notify the $14 billion in U.S. arms sales to Taiwan that Congress pre-approved in January 2025” as if the risk of US intervention in Taiwan would be applicable at that moment. The letter was signed by six Democratic Senators and two Republicans.
What is more than incredulous is that six senior US Senators would believe it appropriate for the President, on his way into a highly sensitive, political – diplomatic Summit with the world’s most prominent economic and political dignitary, to pressure his host with accusations in support of Taiwan while debating Chinese “aggression.”
Wisely, as far as is known, the President did not present the letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping or his representative nor do we know if Trump who is not known for his analytical standards, even read the letter.
***
Meanwhile, upon the arrival of Air Force One, Chinese President Xi was not in attendance as several low level diplomats were on hand to greet the US President as well as hundreds of cheering Chinese school girls similar to the same age as the 170 school girls killed in Iran on the first day of the Iran war. Trump missed that the Chinese have subtle ways of communicating or making their point.
As the Chinese and US diplomatic parties united for their first meeting, President Xi ‘s opening statement expressed the “whole world is watching as currently transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the globe; the international world is turbulent and fluid” with Xi asking “Can China and US overcome Thucydides trap and create a new paradigm in major country relations” “Can we meet global challenges together and provide more stability for the world;’ ‘ we should be partners, not rivals.’
Privately Xi reminded Trump that “mishandling’ Taiwan “could lead to clashes or even a conflict”.
Inappropriately seated at Trump’s elbow at the table were his contentious US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and equally contentious White House Advisor Steven Miller. It was not clear that Trump understood Xi’s reference to Thucydides. Its history was later explained as it applied to ensuing difficulties arising from one nation’s challenge to oust an established sitting power.
To his credit, Trump took the occasion to respond in an uncharacteristically positive and more cordial manner, with compliments in a constructive fashion.
Trump responded to his greeting at the airport that he was “Especially impressed by those children, they were happy, they were beautiful, those children were amazing and they represent so much to you.” It is doubtful that Trump’s lack of personal savvy ever made the connection as Xi smiled and nodded.
Leaving the essential question unanswered whether Trump has the required political sophistication or skill to appropriately deal on sensitive foreign policy affairs with Xi who is a true, master statesman.
***
Meanwhile, back in DC, the US Senate was debating its seventh resolution to adopt the War Powers Act offered by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Despite 61% of Americans opposed to Trump’s Unconstitutional war of aggression, the Resolution was defeated in a 49-50 vote with one Democrat voting No and four Republicans voting in support of War Powers.
Merkley promised that “Until this illegal war is over, Democrats will keep forcing votes to hold Senate Republicans accountable for bending the knee to Trump. No more war with Iran!”
Meanwhile as President Trump prepared to depart China with low-energy, a dejected demeanor and an abnormal tight-lipped nine word explanation which said more than Trump would ever admit. “It’s great – a great place. Incredible. China is beautiful.”
Renee Parsons has been an elected public official in Colorado, an environmental lobbyist with Friends of the Earth and a staff member in the US House of Representative in Washington, DC. Before its demise, she was also a member of the ACLU’s Florida State Board of Directors and President of the ACLU Treasure Coast Chapter.