Un-Diplomatic

Un-Diplomatic

Did Trump End Great-Power Rivalry with China? Tactical Economic Detente Explained

Un-Diplomatic
Nov 01, 2025
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Xi Jinping and Donald Trump met in South Korea on Thursday, agreeing to:

  • Suspend the most acute aspects of economic warfare for 12 months;

  • Lower US tariffs on Chinese goods related to fentanyl; and

  • Resume Chinese purchases of US soybeans.

There were also some other minor points of agreement. In this emergency episode, I explain the whole thing, including why the inter-imperialist rivalry between China and the US endures, why talk of a G2 is premature, and three ways to address the structural sources of great-power competition.

Catch the episode wherever you get podcasts, or watch on YouTube. An unedited transcript is available for patrons, below:

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