Trump faces Xi as alliance strains complicate U.S. pressure on China

President Donald Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping amidst a complex geopolitical landscape where strained relationships with U.S. allies are hindering Washington's efforts to exert pressure on Beijing. Many nations are increasingly seeking to navigate a balanced position between the United States and China, diminishing the U.S.'s ability to form a united front.

China has been actively strengthening its trade relationships worldwide and cultivating its own means of influence, notably through its control over rare earth mineral supplies. Despite a decline in its trade surplus with the U.S., China's overall global trade surplus is projected to exceed $1 trillion for the second consecutive year, signaling its growing economic clout on the international stage.

Concurrently, actions taken by the Trump administration concerning trade, defense, and foreign policy have strained ties with key allies. Ryan Hass, director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution, observed that China is positioning itself as a stable counterweight to an erratic United States. While the U.S. retains significant global power, its leverage depends on a unified stance, which is becoming harder to achieve due to allied hesitancy.

Historically, a major U.S. advantage over China has been its extensive network of alliances. When the U.S. imposed restrictions or sanctions, the support of allies amplified their effectiveness. However, a growing number of countries are now seeking greater autonomy, reducing the U.S.'s capacity to leverage its allies against China. A winter 2025 Pew poll indicated a sharp decline in confidence towards the U.S. in several allied nations.