OT How Donald Trump and Xi Jinping changed the US-China relationship forever

[DUB]

How Donald Trump and Xi Jinping changed the US-China relationship forever

By the time Mr Trump and Mr Xi met for the first time at Mar-a-Lago in 2017, they had taken very different routes to becoming the leaders of the world's two most powerful nations.

And at the time, it seemed like the beginning of an unlikely friendship — the US President lauded Mr Xi.

"President Xi is a terrific guy, I like being with him a lot, and he's a very special person," he said.

It was a surprising change from his campaign trail promises to take on China.

Mr Trump promised to Make America Wealthy Again, and he tried to achieve that with a great new friendship with President Xi.

But in fact, the trade imbalance has only gotten worse.

And as China's economy emerges from draconian lockdowns and into an economic recovery, the United States remains beset by the virus.

Today, America is not wealthier or stronger. China is.