China Decode: Trump Promised to Be Tough on China. Xi Outplayed Him.

Trump leaves Beijing claiming “fantastic” progress with Xi Jinping — but did the summit actually deliver meaningful results?

Alice Han and James Kynge break down the biggest takeaways from the high-stakes Trump-Xi meeting, from the economic promises and simmering Taiwan tensions to the surprising role top CEOs like Elon Musk and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang played throughout the trip.

They discuss the real winners and losers of the summit, what companies like Apple, Tesla, Nvidia, and Boeing stand to gain, and whether any of the promised deals will actually materialize. They also unpack China’s warning on Taiwan, the broader geopolitical stakes surrounding Iran and global energy markets, and the symbolism behind Trump’s visit to the Temple of Heaven.

Plus, they examine China’s growing influence at Cannes, where AI, robotics, and film technology showcased the country’s expanding soft power ambitions.

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