Donald Trump showered praise on Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday as he glossed over his previous condemnation of China’s aggressive trade policies and instead presented a united front with the man he needs to help rein in North Korea.
The day was marked by mutual flattery as Mr Trump’s conciliatory words were followed by a state dinner that included a video montage of moments from his visit.
It offers an insight into Mr Trump’s style of diplomacy – using personal chemistry to strike deals - and a glimpse of how foreign leaders play to his ego.
So although the American president criticised a “very one-sided” trade relationship between the US and China, provoking ripples of nervous laughter among his audience of business leaders and officials, he added that the problem lay with previous policy makers in Washington.
“I don't blame China," he said during remarks in the Great Hall of the People.
“After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for benefit of their citizens? I give China great credit.”
It marked a notable shift in tone from candidate Trump who railed against China, accusing Beijing of destroying American jobs by manipulating its currency to drive down the price of its exports in global markets. He even accused China of “raping our country” at one point.
Instead, he opted to suggest a budding bromance with Mr Xi, who consolidated his position during last month’s Communist Party congress to emerge as the most powerful Chinese leader in a generation.
He made his comments after two hours of trade talks in Beijing during his five-nation swing through Asia. He has already visited South Korea and Japan, and will next travel to Vietnam and the Philippines.
Some observers pointed out that Mr Trump delivered his words slowly, without his usual folksy ad libs and energy.
A welcome dinner on Wednesday had been scheduled to last just 20 minutes because of the punishing schedule, although Mr Trump later said it lasted more than two hours and he “enjoyed every minute of it”.
But it will raise questions about whether a 70-year-old president - who was famous for arranging his election campaign so he could return to his own bed most nights - has the stamina for gruelling foreign trips.
And the visit comes at a crucial moment in the Far East. North Korea is intent on developing inter-continental ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons to the US mainland.
Again, having used a fiery address in South Korea to demand that China do more to isolate Kim Jong-un’s oppressive regime, he used more conciliatory language once in Beijing.
He thanked Mr Xi for his efforts and said he was encouraged by their conversations.
“China can fix this problem easily. And quickly. And I am calling on China and your great president to hopefully work on it very hard,” he said. “If he works on it hard it will happen.”
Mr Trump also used Twitter to thank his hosts, despite the fact China’s “great firewall” bans the platform for almost all citizens except the wealthy or those with access to a virtual private network.
“In the coming months and years ahead I look forward to building an even STRONGER relationship between the United States and China,” he wrote.
For his part, Mr Xi was less fulsome in his praise but reiterated his famous formula for a “win-win” relationship.
“The China-US relationship now stands at a new starting point,” he said. “China is ready to work with the United States to enhance co-operation and properly manage differences in a spirit of mutual respect and mutual benefit.”
Instead, the flattery was laid on in the form of ceremonial pomp. When Mr Trump arrived at the Great Hall of the People, he was met by a display of horn players, a military band and an eight-cannon salute.
“I already had people calling from all parts of the world,” Mr Trump said later. “They were watching. Nothing you can see is so beautiful.”
The state dinner that followed included footage from his visit and video of his granddaughter, Arabella, singing a traditional Chinese song in Mandarin.
The displays of pageantry were all part of what the Chinese have described as a “state visit plus”.
Lindsey Ford, of the Asia Society Policy Institute in Washington, said Beijing understood the importance of massaging the president’s ego.
“They are not ignorant that this is a president who is particularly responsive to flattery,” she said.
Beyond mutual appreciation, the day also yielded results in the form of trade agreements. The two sides announced they had signed deals worth more than $250 billion (Dh918bn) for products ranging from US-made jet engines to beef.
It was left to Rex Tillerson, the US secretary of state, to inject a dose of realism.
“I think the best way to characterise it is that while we appreciate the long hours and the effort that our Chinese counterparts have put into those trade discussions, quite frankly in the grand scheme of a $3- to 500 billion trade deficit, the things that have been achieved are pretty small,” he told reporters.
Mr Trump leaves for Danang, Vietnam, on Friday for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation conference.
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Read more:
Can Trump spare us a Cold War with China?
After one year, Trump’s Middle East policy remains tough on rhetoric but short on action
Trump's hectoring is making Nato change
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23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
More on Quran memorisation:
The biog
Hobbies: Writing and running
Favourite sport: beach volleyball
Favourite holiday destinations: Turkey and Puerto Rico
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
Scoreline
Liverpool 3
Mane (7'), Salah (69'), Firmino (90')
Bournemouth 0
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Fernando Jara (jockey), Irfan Ellahi (trainer).
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,400m
Winner: Yaalail, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 1,600m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Fernando Jara, Helal Al Alawi.
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2.200m
Winner: Ezz Al Rawasi, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
RESULTS
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
Winner: Miller’s House, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Kanood, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gervais, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Important Mission, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
RESULTS
6pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $40,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
6.35pm: Race of Future – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Global Storm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Azure Coast, Antonio Fresu, Pavel Vashchenko
7.45pm: Business Bay Challenge – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Storm Damage, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
20.20pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Appreciated, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O'Meara
9.30pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Meraas, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
RESULTS
2.30pm Jaguar I-Pace – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt)
1,600m
Winner Namrood, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi
(trainer)
3.05pm Land Rover Defender – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D)
1,400m
Winner Shadzadi, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
3.40pm Jaguar F-Type – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner Tahdeed, Fernando Jara, Nicholas Bachalard
4.15pm New Range Rover – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner Shanty Star, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
4.50pm Land Rover – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner Autumn Pride, Bernardo Pinheiro, Helal Al Alawi
5.25pm Al Tayer Motor – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 T) 1,000m
Winner Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm Jaguar F-Pace SVR – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner Scabbard, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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