September 24 was just 40 days away from the U.S. midterm elections on November 3. The drama took a major turn in the capital, Washington D.C. The third U.S.-China summit under the second Trump administration was held at the White House.
For President Donald Trump, who is struggling to maintain a majority in both houses amid declining approval ratings, this meeting was literally the perfect stage to showcase “diplomatic and economic achievements” to voters. Did this historic meeting unfold according to President Trump’s political ambitions?
The day before the summit, a government plane carrying Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife slipped into an air force base near the U.S. capital. President Xi and his wife slowly descend the ramp. Waiting on the ground were none other than President Trump and his wife. The moment the two leaders, beaming with broad smiles, exchanged a firm handshake, the curtain rose on the second US-China summit diplomacy this year.
It is an extremely unusual protocol (diplomatic protocol) for the U.S. president to personally welcome foreign leaders upon arrival at the base. From the very beginning, it became clear how much President Trump had “favored” China and wanted to stage the success of this meeting. Afterwards, the national anthem of both countries is played. Near the end of the American national anthem, two B1 bombers roared overhead. The intensity was so intense that President Trump, who was saluting, frowned and turned to look back at the aircraft.
This article has been translated from its original version: read the full article here.