China Moves Center Stage Amid American Chaos
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping in October. Carney is returning to China today as foreign leaders flock to Beijing.
Photographer: Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press/AP PhotoChina is making a move toward center stage amid the growing chaos of US foreign and economic policy under Donald Trump. As the 79-year-old president threatens new tariffs or military attack on friend and foe alike, President Xi Jinping is welcoming a procession of leaders looking to mend fences with the world’s other major economy.
South Korea’s Lee Jae Myung kicked off the trend this month, cementing an improvement in ties by becoming his nation’s first president to visit China since 2019. Canada’s Mark Carney will arrive late Wednesday. Days later, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to travel to the Chinese capital to buoy British business, marking a first since 2018. Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz is also expected to visit next month.