Trump’s approach to Middle East diplomacy won’t work with China

Last week’s ceasefire in Gaza was a success for President Donald Trump and his style of foreign policy. He and his team engaged in intense, personal diplomacy, persuading Israel to hold its fire and coaxing the Qataris, Egyptians and Turks to lean on Hamas. For a president who relishes deals and drama, the signing ceremony in Egypt was a grand stage.

But as the Middle East quieted, another, much more important theater grew more discordant — that involving U.S.-China relations. In that arena, Trump has lurched from threat to retreat to confusion. First he threatened new “100 percent tariffs” and warned that he would cancel a planned meeting with Xi Jinping. Then, as Beijing refused to blink, Trump quickly softened, posting a conciliatory message on social media about wanting to “help China, not hurt it.” Aides reversed course, saying the Trump-Xi summit would take place after all.

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