Trump Seeks Leverage Ahead of Xi Summit as China Gains Upper Hand

Donald Trump arrives in Beijing this week for two days of meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping with significantly reduced leverage, according to foreign policy experts.

Analysts note that Trump entered office with ambitious plans to reshape U.S. foreign policy and economic strategy, including resolving the Ukraine conflict, stabilizing relations between Israel and Gaza, implementing sweeping tariffs under his proposed "Liberation Day" initiative, and rapidly diversifying American supply chains away from China.

However, none of these objectives have been achieved. Instead, Trump's aggressive policies toward Iran—particularly the escalation of military tensions—have unintentionally bolstered China's negotiating position, giving Xi Jinping a clear advantage as the two leaders prepare to meet.

"The Trump administration's failures in multiple theaters have left Washington with far less influence than anticipated," said Bonnie Glaser, director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund. "China now holds more cards in this relationship than at any point in recent years."

Trump's attempts to diversify supply chains have stalled due to logistical challenges and resistance from U.S. corporations, while his tariff proposals remain largely unimplemented. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East continue to drain U.S. resources and diplomatic capital.

The upcoming summit in Beijing comes at a critical juncture, with both nations grappling with economic slowdowns, geopolitical tensions, and the fallout from recent trade disputes. While Trump has sought to assemble a high-profile delegation—including figures like "Tim Apple" (Tim Cook of Apple), Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk—to signal U.S. economic strength, experts question whether this will translate into meaningful concessions from China.

"Symbolism alone won’t change the fundamental power dynamics," said Elizabeth Economy, senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. "China’s economic and diplomatic maneuvers over the past four years have positioned it to weather U.S. pressure far more effectively than the U.S. anticipated."

The meetings, scheduled for November 8–9, 2024, will test whether Trump’s aggressive posturing can yield tangible results or if China’s growing influence will further diminish U.S. leverage on the global stage.