Analysts tip a stronger hand for China ahead of Xi-Trump summit in Washington

Analysts predict a more assertive China heading into the upcoming summit with President Trump in Washington, D.C. This boost in confidence stems from a series of recent diplomatic engagements China has undertaken. President Xi Jinping recently concluded an intense overseas tour, visiting Egypt and attending the Brics summit in New Delhi, marking his first trip to India in seven years.

In his address at the Brics summit, Xi subtly criticized US policies and called for deeper cooperation within the bloc on issues such as artificial intelligence. Furthermore, the two-day summit in Bishkek forged a united front against US tariffs, sanctions, and "America first" policies, all without specifically naming Washington.

Wu Xinbo, dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, believes that Beijing's diplomatic activities have strengthened its position ahead of the second US-China summit of the year. He pointed out that Xi's visit to Egypt, a significant Middle Eastern power, underscores China's growing regional influence. As Washington is currently at odds with Iran, this serves as a reminder to the US that it cannot underestimate China's regional clout when managing its bilateral ties with Beijing.

The US President Donald Trump announced that Xi would visit on September 24, emphasizing that they would have "a lot of good things to discuss." However, Beijing has yet to officially confirm the trip, adhering to its usual practice of announcing travel plans at the last minute. Wu Xinbo also highlighted Beijing's emphasis on Asia and the Global South, demonstrating its expanding global reach and in stark contrast to a US administration that has alienated traditional allies.

Ali Wyne, International Crisis Group's senior research and advocacy adviser for US-China relations, noted that while Trump has undermined US alliances, Xi is constructing "China's portfolio of transactional alignments." However, Wyne added that Beijing was "unlikely to establish a coherent counterbalancing coalition." Nevertheless, the Trump administration's foreign policy enables Beijing to present itself as a more stabilizing force than Washington.

Patricia Kim, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Brookings Institution, stated that China's multiple diplomatic tours emphasize that China has other vital relationships and diplomatic options. These initiatives aim to portray Beijing as increasingly central to a more multipolar international order. Kim emphasized that Xi wants to project the message that Beijing can engage with Washington without making the US the central focus of its foreign policy.