The Trump-Xi opportunity to repair relations as countries spiral toward conflict

When President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet later this month, it will be against a backdrop of global upheaval. Rising oil prices, simmering regional conflict, and an increasingly unstable global economy threaten the United States and China just as leaders from both countries are seeking stability and control.

The meeting is an opportunity for the two presidents to forge a new path for U.S.-China relations, one that is no longer trapped in a cyclical spiral down fueled by mistrust and security paranoia. For the first time in decades, we have an American president who right sizes the China challenge. Trump understands we are economic competitors and knows that both countries should do everything possible to avoid confrontation.

He has an excellent relationship with the president of China, saying, “President Xi is a great leader of a great country, and I think we’re going to have a fantastic relationship