{
  "id": 7302007,
  "title": "What Trump Doesn’t Understand About Xi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/what-trump-doesnt-understand-about-xi",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-14T11:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Atlantic",
    "slug": "the-atlantic",
    "url": "https://www.theatlantic.com/international/2026/09/trump-xi-china-negotiation/688600/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Trump is set to host Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit on September 24, highlighting the importance of their personal rapport. However, Trump's understanding of Xi is limited, as revealed by his inconsistent approach towards the Chinese leader. This is based on the author's extensive study of Xi, his role as the CIA's top expert on the Chinese leader, and his position as the director for China at the National Security Council under President Biden.\n\nThroughout his two terms, Trump has oscillated between building relationships and engaging in conflicts with Xi. Initially, Trump called Xi a friend and believed he had unique insights into Xi's leadership. However, in his second term, Trump has relied more on unpredictability to gain leverage. This strategy has backfired, as Xi has surprised Trump more often than vice versa. Xi, who rises to power by presenting a steady image and then taking unexpected actions, has caught Trump off guard multiple times.\n\nDespite Trump's efforts to strengthen his bond with Xi, the Chinese leader has consistently outmaneuvered him. Xi's modus operandi involves patiently preparing for years before making a surprise move. This strategy was evident when Xi retaliated against Trump's \"Liberation Day\" tariffs in April 2025, catching the U.S. president off guard. Furthermore, Xi's recent export controls on rare earth elements forced the U.S. to roll back its own controls, demonstrating his strategic prowess.\n\nTrump's attempt to deepen his rapport with Xi has not yielded significant results. The summit in Seoul and Trump's subsequent visit to Beijing produced minimal outcomes, primarily focusing on commercial agreements. The administration has emphasized the importance of Trump's personal relationship with Xi, believing it will lead to beneficial deals. However, Xi's track record shows he is unsentimental about personal relationships, often dismissing associates for perceived malfeasance. This stark contrast between Trump and Xi's approaches towards personal relationships and dealing with adversaries underscores the complexities of their relationship.",
  "summary": "The Chinese leader cares very little about personal rapport.",
  "key_points": [
    "Trump oscillated between friendship and conflict with Xi during his two terms.",
    "Xi surprised Trump more often than vice versa.",
    "Xi's strategic surprise moves caught Trump off guard."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}