Xi Jinping meets Trump: who holds the cards?
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What does the episode introduce about the upcoming Xi‑Trump summit?
This is the Guardian.
Today, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. What to expect when the odd couple meet in Washington?
When we think about Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, there's a real mismatch between the two men. President Trump thinks of himself as the consummate deal maker, right? That is a core part of his political persona. But that is not a core part of Xi Jinping's political persona, and that's not crucial to how he operates. I think it's much better to think of Xi Jinping as operating like a jack in a box. This guy winds up for years, sometimes for decades, and he's just waiting for the right moment to pop.
You know when world leaders ring each other up for a chat? It's never just them on the line. Eavesdropping silently on another extension, just out of sight. There is always someone like John Zinn listening in.
Yes, that was a big part of of my day job, right? Was kind of using the expertise that I had built up over time to help manage and conduct our diplomacy with China.
John was the director for China on Joe Biden's National Security Council from 2021 to 2023, having honed his expertise as the CIA's in-house expert on Xi Jinping.
I was there in November 2022 when she and Biden met in person for the first time at the G20 in Bali. And then before that, you'll remember we were in the midst of COVID. So the first face to face encounter that Biden and she had of the Biden presidency was actually a a you know, it was a presidential Zoom, not on like this one.
Good to see you, Mr.
How do the personalities and political styles of Xi Jinping and Donald Trump differ?
President and your colleagues. It's the first time for us to meet virtually. Although it's not as good as a face to face meeting. I'm very happy to see my old friend.
I think the best approach when you're dealing with a guy like Sheen is to play it cool. You wanna look like you're also focused on business and that you're taking this very seriously and you're not gonna give anything away for free.
John dealt with a lot during his two years working for the White House. But as Donald Trump prepares to welcome Xi Jinping to Washington today, the stakes are arguably even higher. Trump has started a war he can't seem to stop, and the Chinese are helping his enemy.
Stunning new reporting that China may have aided in Iran's attack that killed
three US troops earlier this summer.
There's the small matter that Xi still has his eye on invading Taiwan.
Taiwan is engaged in ten days of war games preparing the country for a potential invasion.
Oh, and the worry that AI may destroy humanity.
This is a danger that's so great. We've got to do something together with them to reduce, at least reduce, hopefully eliminate the scale of the potential destruction.
From The Guardian, I'm Helen Pitt. Today in focus. What are Trump and she gonna talk about in Washington? And what does it mean for the rest of us?
John Zinn, welcome to Today in Focus.
Thanks so much for having me. I'm delighted to be here.
So you're a longtime China analyst. Can you just start by telling me when did you get so interested in in China and the guy who's been running it for the past 13 years?
Yeah, I uh Got interested in foreign policy writ large because 9-11 actually happened a week into my freshman year of college. And I had grown up in New Jersey with a view of the Manhattan skyline from my bedroom growing up. So obviously when that happened, that was a huge moment for me. And I ended up uh realizing very quickly after 9-11 that as a skinny nerdy kid, I was probably not going to end up in the special. Forces are in the US Marine Corps. But I saw an advertisement in foreign affairs to be a CIA analyst and I thought that is something I could do, right? I could be a professional nerd for my government. And I ended up starting at the agency just after Xi Jinping became China's heir parent.
And I realized this was just going to be the most fascinating issue. And uh I have not been proven wrong.
And I think when Biden was president, you were the sort of chief G whisperer, is that right? You were deciphering all of his movements, his pronouncements, his silences, and on what that actually meant for American diplomacy.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What does the episode introduce about the upcoming Xi‑Trump summit?
0:00–1:52
2
How do the personalities and political styles of Xi Jinping and Donald Trump differ?
1:52–12:08
3
Why is China’s involvement in Iran’s attacks on U.S. troops significant for the summit?
12:08–13:01
4
What are the implications of Taiwan’s war‑games and the risk of a Chinese invasion?
13:01–29:13