Letter to the editor: Xi-man Trump humiliated at China summit

First published in the  Brunswick Beacon, 06.04.26

John Bolton, Trump’s longest-serving National Security Adviser, accompanied Trump to multiple summit meetings. Bolton’s assessment: “Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, and others think he’s a laughing fool. They’re fully prepared to take advantage of him. Trump’s self-absorption makes it impossible for him to understand that.” Trump’s embarrassing China summit proved Bolton right.

China buys 90% of Iran’s oil. Hoping Xi could persuade Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, Trump heaped praise on Xi: “You’re a great leader. I say it to everybody; you’re a great leader. People don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway because it’s true,” adding, “It’s an honor to be with you. It’s an honor to be your friend.”

Xi did not return Trump’s flattery — he said Trump’s Iran War “should not have happened.” He said Taiwan belongs to China and told Trump to be careful. “Otherwise,” Xi warned, “the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts.”

When Xi used history to insult America, Trump piled on more praise and foolishly agreed: “President Xi very elegantly referred to the United States as perhaps being a declining nation. On that score, he was 100% correct.” Trump claimed Xi meant Biden’s America — Xi said no such thing.

Trump brought Boeing’s CEO with him and boasted that China agreed to buy 200 Boeing aircraft. But Boeing expected to sell 500 planes — its stock fell 4% on the disappointing news.

Asked if he would approve Taiwan’s stalled $14 billion arms package, Trump called it “a negotiating chip,” adding, “it depends on China.” Trump said Taiwan is “only 59 miles” from China while “we’re 9,500 miles away,” effectively writing off America’s ally. Trump’s weakness and capitulation to Xi were embarrassing.

Conservative Fox commentator Daniel Horowitz concluded, “we allowed ourselves to be humiliated in Beijing on a trip that should never have taken place.” Trump is a laughing fool but the joke is on America for electing him.

Michael Rush

Leland