The conflict between Trump and Xi

Globalization, the EU, the Middle East, and North Korea are among the global issues predicted to create significant friction between Trump and Xi in their upcoming meeting.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: CNN

When the first high-level meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping takes place in Florida this week, both will be preparing for a clash of views on a range of international issues from globalization to free trade, according to SCMP.

Globalization

Trump's "America First" agenda, as well as his desire to reduce America's global leadership role, comes against the backdrop of China's efforts to expand its influence around the world.

Just days before Trump's inauguration in January, Xi Jinping said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland: "Blaming economic globalization as the root of the world's problems is contrary to reality and will not help solve the problems."

This statement contradicts Trump's commitment in his inaugural address that his administration would put American interests first and bring jobs back to America.

"We enrich other countries while our own prosperity, strength, and confidence disappear right before our eyes," Trump said.

Free trade and foreign investment

China has expanded its global presence with the Belt and Road Initiative and will hold a summit to implement this initiative in Beijing next May. China is also pushing for a free trade agreement with ASEAN and other countries called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). China sent representatives to Chile to participate in a meeting to discuss the future of the Trans-Pacific Economic Partnership (TPP), fueling speculation that Beijing is seeking to replace the US position in the agreement after Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the TPP.

At Davos, Xi Jinping said: "We must commit to promoting free trade and investment through openness and saying no to protectionism. Pursuing protectionism is like imprisoning yourself in a dark room; even if you avoid the wind and rain outside, you will be deprived of light and air."

Meanwhile, Trump said that the TPP was a near-identical version of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) – the worst trade deal the US has ever had, in Trump's view.

"For decades, we have enriched foreign industries while American industries have suffered. Factories have closed and left our country without a second thought for the millions of American workers left behind," Trump said at his presidential inauguration.

European Union

Trump called Britain's decision to leave the European Union (EU) "a great thing." He also publicly criticized German Chancellor Angela Merkel's open-door policy toward refugees.

"I believe other countries will eventually leave the EU. I think maintaining the cohesion of the EU is not as easy as many people think," Trump said in an interview in January.

However, as relations between Europe and China grow stronger, Xi and other Chinese leaders have clearly affirmed Beijing's support for a united EU.

"China hopes to see a prosperous Europe and a united EU, and hopes that Britain, an important member of the EU, can play an even more active and constructive role in promoting the deepening development of China-EU relations," Xi said during his visit in 2015.

Middle East

China has a limited role in the Middle East and avoids supporting any side in the conflicts there, although Beijing depends on the region for oil supplies. However, China has been increasing its engagement with Middle Eastern countries recently.

"China and Muslim countries respect each other and have cooperated for mutual benefit for a long time. This is a good example of the harmonious coexistence of different civilizations," Xi Jinping said while welcoming Saudi King Salman on March 16 in Beijing.

Conversely, the US has fueled controversies in the region. The Trump administration sought to impose a 90-day travel ban on citizens from six major Muslim-majority countries, including three Middle Eastern nations: Iran, Syria, and Yemen.

North Korea and Northeast Asian security

North Korea is a top security concern in East Asia for the Trump administration. China views North Korea as a strategic buffer against U.S. political and military influence in Northeast Asia. Therefore, it has rejected U.S. demands for years to impose tougher sanctions on North Korea, even as Pyongyang increasingly expands its nuclear and missile development programs.

"North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been 'playing' America for years. China has been very little help!", Trump wrote on Twitter on March 17.

Chinese officials have stated that Beijing does not want chaos to erupt on the Korean Peninsula and have urged Pyongyang to cease provocative actions, but they have consistently maintained that North Korea's nuclear issue must be resolved through negotiations.

According to VNE