I’m surprised. Really didn’t think he was going to go. I’m sure the talked Iran. So, lets read a bit about the visit
Thucydides Trap- Xi mentioned this to Trump
I though it interesting
US and China should be partners rather than rivals and find the right way to get along well in the changing global era.
Mr Jinping also warned the US against the
“Thucydides Trap”— a reference to the ancient rivalry between Athens and Sparta.The Chinese leader made the remarks on Thursday during his talks with visiting US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
What is the Thucydides trap and why did Xi raise it with Trump
Bloomberg original– read at link above
The term was popularized by Harvard political scientist Graham Allison in the early 2010s, drawing on the ancient Greek historian Thucydides. His argument: when a rising power challenges an established one, conflict inevitably follows. Allison’s research found this pattern played out repeatedly across history and he used this framing as a lens to examine the US-China rivalry.
The term has been around far longer than Graham Allison’s use in 2010
In simple terms, it’s about structural tension. China’s rise — economically, technologically and militarily — challenges America’s long-standing dominance as a world superpower. Even if neither side seeks confrontation, the risk is that competition itself creates pressure that’s hard to control.
The Chinese leader’s message has been consistent: conflict isn’t inevitable. China’s framing is that the two sides should find a way to co-exist, often described by Beijing as “mutual respect” and “win-win cooperation.”
The US cannot tolerate that at all!
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States remains committed to its longstanding Taiwan policy as Washington works to preserve strategic stability with China following talks between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
No to mutual respect and cooperation, clearly
Channelnewsasia
BEIJING: A Sino-US relationship based on “constructive strategic stability” – that was the new phrase introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping on the first day of his high-stakes summit with United States counterpart Donald Trump.
During their meeting on Thursday (May 14) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi said he and Trump agreed to make such a relationship the “new positioning” of bilateral ties, according to the Chinese readout.
Analysts say Xi’s remarks reflect the clearest signal of how Beijing wants to frame the next phase of US-China relations – not as a reset, but as long-term competition managed within limits.
“The side that names the relationship is the side setting its terms … Beijing is making the first framing move,” said Li Yaqi, a research assistant specialising in international relations at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore, told CNA.
Nutshell definition
Historical Basis: In his History of the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC), Thucydides wrote: “It was the rise of Athens, and the fear that rise engendered in Sparta, that made war inevitable”.
The “Trap”: When a dominant power (Sparta) feels threatened by a rising power (Athens), the potential for miscalculation and conflict skyrockets.
The Conflict: The Peloponnesian War was a 30-year, devastating conflict between the Athenian-led Delian League and the Spartan-led Peloponnesian League, which ultimately resulted in the surrender of Athens.
That’s it for today!
One reply on “Trump went to China-Thucydides Trap”
So, Trump actually went to China.
Any thoughts?