Interview: Asia Analyst Bonnie Glaser: "The Chinese don't want to be treated like Russia at all."

In an interview, Ms. Glaser, the US analyst, stated that during a recent telephone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump offered Xi Chinese weapons for sale. However, Trump denies this claim. The sale of weapons to China is illegal under US law, as the last permission for such a sale to China was granted in 1989.

Ms. Glaser summarized the recent summit between the two leaders, stating that it has temporarily extended the fragile stability in US-China relations until the end of the year and strengthened personal relations between the two leaders. While the US succeeded in achieving some economic gains, they failed to secure new commitments from China regarding the delivery of rare earths, magnets, and critical minerals, despite these being a top priority for Trump.

Ms. Glaser believes that Trump has gained a significant strategic victory by signaling that China is on equal footing with the United States. She sees this as an internal political success for Xi Jinping, as he has long sought recognition and power within China. Trump's success in achieving this stems from his personal relationship with Xi Jinping, believing that by showing respect and hosting a lavish state banquet for him, their relationship will yield results over time.

The Chinese President's success in regaining respect from the United States is primarily an internal political achievement. Xi Jinping aims to shape a framework for US-China relations that guarantees predictability and protects China's interests, similar to a "constructive strategic stability" label. An example of this is the controversy surrounding US weapons sales to Taiwan.

If approved, such sales would be viewed as a violation of the US's concept of constructive strategic stability.