Does Trump already have a deal with China?

[edhopper]

Basics of Diplomacy 101 is that a President doesn't go to another country unless there is already a deal in place. If not, the President can look foolish and ineffective.
Of course Trump thinks he is a master at the deal and there aren't any left in the State Dept that understand how things work. At least not anyone he would listen to.
I predict that Trump will return without any real results, or announces something the Press will make a big thing of that will turn out to be a nothing burger or bad for America.

[True Dough]

1. "If not, the President can look foolish and ineffective."

Last edited Wed May 13, 2026, 02:50 PM - Edit history (1)

That is already true in so many ways, including the Iran war.

[edhopper]

14. It was a generalization for the office

for Trump, it is a constant.

[gab13by13]

2. Krasnov is going to get a good deal but,

It won’t be publicized what he gave up.

[malaise]

3. Already one of the biggest snubs in history

Damn,

[underpants]

5. You mean Xi not welcoming him?

Link to tweet

?s=46

[malaise]

7. As in

Holy Shit!

[Solly Mack]

4. Even if he doesn't, you can safely bet that Eric and the "Trump Organization" is getting one.

Probably Lara Trump too.

[edhopper]

15. Definitely

[Johonny]

6. Oh Xi has a deal for him

Something as wonderful as the epic OPEC 2020 deal that rarely fucked us for years.

[ColoringFool]

8. DEAL? WHY WOULD CHINA CARE TO DEAL?! SHE IS CORNERING....

THE MARKET IN AFRICAN RARE EARTH MINERALS, WITH THOUSANDS OF CHINESE WORKERS ON SITE.

EUROPE WILL BE SIGNING (MORE) TRADE DEALS WITH HER.

TRUMP HAS GONE A-BEGGING BECAUSE HIS TARIFFS ARE BECOMING ONEROUS ON THE UNITED STATES [SEE: SOYBEANS].

FUHGEDDABOUTIT, JAKE. IT'S CHINATOWN.

[Sneederbunk]

9. Xi holds the cards. Will TSF express enough gratitude?

[Happy Hoosier]

10. Three possibilities, IMO...

1) There is a deal, and it's an okey-doke. Essentially meaningless concessions form China that Trump can trumpet, but Xi is just playing Trump, and he is placating him while he is very effectively expanding Chinese influence

2) Trump thinks he has a deal, but also thinks he's the master of the deal and he'll fuck is all up by blowing up the previously agreed to deal. He does this alot.

3) There's a lot of pomp and we walk away with "Concepts of a Deal" that Trump will trumpet and comes to nothing.


I think 1 is most likely, but any of them could happen.

[usonian]

11. Xi knows he is full of shit and will offer only idiot "deals"

China is holding all the cards, except for its flagging economy, which the war in Iran stands to boost considerably, IMO.

Maybe Xi will offer solar panels. Iran will starve the US and others not on the solar bandwagon.

The War in Iran Is Causing China to Sell So Many Solar Panels That Your Jaw Will Drop
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=21228983

He dragged along tech-bro flunkies, so this will probably be some chip and AI deal.

[Dan]

12. Trump may not have a deal, but he is going back from China with

The Vaseline for use by Americans for whatever comes.

[ananda]

13. The area on my predictometer just zoomed to 100%.

You nailed it.

[nitpicked]

16. MY rather silly guess

Thump will tout "good for business" deals for CEOs' companies.

And ignore any lack of real movement on other issues (including Iran).