Trump Flatters China Leader, Blaming U.S. for Trade Gap (NYT)

[dalton99a]

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/09/world/asia/trump-xi-jinping-north-korea.html

BEIJING — President Trump heaped praise on President Xi Jinping of China on Thursday, blaming Mr. Trump’s own predecessors for China’s yawning trade surplus with the United States and saying he was confident that Mr. Xi could defuse the threat from North Korea.

Mr. Trump’s warm words, on a state visit to China replete with ceremony but short of tangible results, showed a president doubling down on his gamble that by cultivating a personal connection with Mr. Xi, he can push the Chinese leader to take meaningful steps on North Korea and trade.

In public, Mr. Trump projected an air of deference to China that was almost unheard-of for a visiting American president. Far from attacking Mr. Xi on trade, Mr. Trump saluted him for leading a country that he said had left the United States “so far behind.” He said he could not blame the Chinese for taking advantage of weak American trade policy.

It was a remarkable moment in the story of China’s rise and America’s response to it, with Mr. Trump’s performance suggesting a tipping point in great-power politics. By concluding that the United States can better achieve its goals by flattering a Chinese leader than by challenging him, Mr. Trump seemed to signal a reversal of roles: the United States may now need China’s help more than the other way around.

[LonePirate]

1. Sounds like 45 just became Xi's cuck! I wonder what the deplorables will think of this.

[Roland99]

2. Is there no leader other than N K that he wont suck up to?

[Kirk Lover]

3. Oh how I hate trashbag tRUMP....let me count the ways. n/t

[gratuitous]

4. Trump sure talked tough before he got to Beijing

Once there, though, he folded like a cheap lawn chair. Weak!

[KY_EnviroGuy]

5. What a two-faced bastard.

Mr. Master Deal-Maker on his knees.

[Irish_Dem]

6. Isn't he only nice when he wants something? So what is he angling for??

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

7. That's because Xi paid attention to what the Saudis did

He played to Trump's ego.

[safeinOhio]

8. He seems to be on an apology tour.