Trump Meets Xi: “Peace President” and “Great Leader” Reunite

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In a symbolic summit in South Korea, Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping call for partnership over rivalry.

By TRH Foreign Affairs Desk

New Delhi, October 30, 2025 — In an image-heavy world where gestures often matter more than words, Thursday’s meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan carried both — symbolism and substance. It was their first face-to-face encounter since 2019, and both men seemed intent on recasting the tone of a relationship long defined by rivalry and distrust.

“President Trump is a great leader of a great country,” Xi said, opening the meeting with warmth uncharacteristic of Beijing’s usually measured tone. Xi further chimed, saying: “Since your re-election, we have spoken on the phone three times, exchanged several letters, and stayed in close contact. Under our joint guidance, China-US relations have remained stable on the whole.”

The encounter, set against the backdrop of recent trade consultations in Kuala Lumpur, marked a subtle but significant shift. Chinese officials said the two sides reached “basic consensus” on major economic concerns — a cautious diplomatic phrase hinting at thawing tensions.

Trump, in his familiar improvisational cadence, returned the compliment: “President Xi is a great leader of a great country, and I think we’re going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time.”

At a time when both nations face domestic challenges — China grappling with sluggish growth and the US navigating a polarized political landscape — the optics of reconciliation matter. The handshake in Busan was not just about trade or tariffs; it was about two global leaders seeking to reframe power competition as cooperative coexistence.

Xi, often described as a pragmatic realist, struck a philosophical note: “Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye. It is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then. You and I are at the helm of China-US relations. In the face of winds, waves, and challenges, we should stay the right course and ensure the steady sailing of the giant ship of China-US relations.”

In a rare moment of flattery, Xi went further, calling Trump a “Peace President,” lauding his role in recent diplomatic efforts, including the Gaza ceasefire and the Malaysia-brokered declaration at the Cambodia–Thailand border.

For Trump, whose political brand thrives on spectacle and directness, Busan offered an opportunity to project statesmanship — and perhaps to reassert America’s hand in shaping Asia’s future. For Xi, it was a chance to showcase China’s global confidence while reducing the risk of economic or military miscalculation.

Whether this encounter heralds a durable detente or merely a photo-op reprieve remains to be seen. But in a year of global turbulence, the sight of two leaders — once adversaries, now tentative partners — trying to “steady the ship” is a rare note of calm in international politics.

In Xi’s words, “We may not always see eye to eye, but the world expects us to steer wisely.” In Trump’s, “It’s going to be fantastic.” For now, both seem content to let optimism do the talking.

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