Six years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first state visit to the United States, paying homage to the then-President Barack Obama at a grand dinner held at the posh Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Following the event, US-China relations were filled with optimism. Fast forward to today, however, and things look starkly different.
The coronavirus pandemic has been one of the key drivers in the rapid deterioration of relations between the US and China. Accusations of cover-ups and disinformation from both sides have led to rising tensions, with the US and China now exchanging regular verbal jibes and threats.
President Xi Jinping’s return to the US today is a symbolic reminder of how much things have changed in just six short years, and it is likely that his return visit will be met with anything but enthusiasm. Relations between the two nations have deteriorated so severely that some even dub it a Cold War.
On the agenda for President Xi’s visit, is a summit with President Biden which could pave the way for some kind of solution. But for now, it looks like Chinese and American diplomacy will continue its downward spiral with little hope of dialogue in sight.
Six years ago, President Xi made an optimistic visit to Mar-a-Lago, but today he is arriving in an environment of heightened mistrust. As the two leaders face off for the first time, it is to be hoped that some positive dialogue can be achieved so that the path to a brighter tomorrow can be laid.