‘Never Gotten Along Better,’ Trump Hails US-China Ties As Xi Visits White House | Firstpost Live

Trump's pat on the back, a firm handshake, a traditional bow. And then Xi Jinping pats Donald Trump back. The two leaders may have been smiling for the cameras, but their body language is telling a more interesting story. As Xi and Trump met in Washington, every touch, gesture and reaction came under the microscope. So was this just a friendly banter between two leaders who claimed to have a personal rapport? Was there a subtle power game playing out in front of the cameras? Let's begin with the showstopper. A lavish state dinner at the White House. The dinner menu included sea bass, yellow squash, volute and White House honey ice cream. Donald Trump hosted Xi Jinping with some of America's biggest tech names in the room. Elon Musk, Tim Cook, Jensen Huang and Sam Altman among them. Trump said the two countries represent different systems, but their profile remain connected. Thank you very much. Please sit. It is a great honor, President Xi, Madam Hong and members of the Chinese delegation. Melania and I are delighted to welcome you once again to the White House. You are truly outstanding, amazing people. The hospitality of the Chinese people was on full display during my visit to Beijing earlier this year. And tonight we hope to show you the same honor. But behind all these gestures is a much bigger political story. Xi and Trump are not meeting at a moment of easy US-China relations. The two countries remain competitors across trade, technology, artificial intelligence and security. Xi has also called for greater communication and cooperation between Washington and Beijing, warning against a confrontation that could push the two powers towards the so-called two-sea duties trap. The concept refers to the risk of conflict when a rising power challenges an established power. Xi struck a more restrained tone, calling on the US and China to coexist in peace and act as responsible major countries. In May of this year, President Trump visited China at my invitation, and we agreed to develop a stable and constructive strategic relationship between China and the United States. During the visit, President Trump warmly invited me to visit the United States, and I have come as promised. In less than half a year, the Chinese and American presidents have exchanged state visits, making history in our bilateral engagement. Today, President Trump and I had sincere and in-depth exchanges and reached common understanding on many issues. This has added new substance to the constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability and provided new strategic guidance for China-US relations. Trump gifted Xi a custom-made bald eagle statue. It is regarded as a symbol of American power and identity. Trump also declared that US-China relations had never gotten along better, as he praised Xi and recalled the hospitality he received during his visit to Beijing. Trump gave Xi Jinping a tour of his new White House helipad and showed the Chinese president Marine One after their talks in Washington. In fact, Donald Trump had an unusual detail to share after his talks with Xi Jinping. He claimed the Chinese president is a stone expert. We had a great meeting and he is very interested in granite. He likes granite. He is an expert on stone, aside from many other things. And he loves good granite. Thank you very much. And even before the two men met at the White House, the gesture spoke for themselves. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump went to joint base entries to receive Xi and Chinese First Lady as they arrived in the US. Body language experts described Trump's decision to personally greet Xi at the tarmac as a sign of respect for the Chinese president. Once the two leaders reached the White House, the body language shifted. Xi performed a traditional head bow, consistent with Chinese culture etiquette. Trump, meanwhile, immediately extended his hand for a handshake. Body language experts described this as typical of Trump's greeting style, but noted that it did not mirror the Chinese protocol or formality of Xi's gesture. During the handshake, Trump also patted Xi on the upper arm. In other words, the gesture can be read as an attempt to position one person above the other in the interaction. But Xi did not simply leave the gesture unanswered. Later, Xi was also seen patting Trump on the back. Xi was reportedly neutralizing the impression of dominance created by Trump's earlier touch. The meaning of a back pat, however, depends heavily on context. In American culture, it can be a sign of warmth or friendliness. But in a less formal or less personal setting, body language experts believe the same gesture can also carry a hierarchical message. Then came another lighter moment. Trump walked Xi along the White House colonnade and stopped at the Presidential Walk of Fame. Trump pointed towards his own portrait, An image showing an auto-pen signing Biden's name was also displayed. Trump has repeatedly raised claims about the use of an auto-pen during Biden's presidency. During this moment, Xi was seen laughing. Both have another light-hearted moment at the White House as Trump showed Xi a photograph of the two leaders hanging in the West Wing. The body language story also extended beyond the two presidents. Melania Trump and the Chinese first lady spent time together, away from their husbands, including a visit to the Museum of Asian Art. The two first ladies appeared more relaxed away from the formal atmosphere of the presidential meeting. And away from the negotiating table, the Chinese first lady, fashion choices and her engagements with Melania Trump also drew attention, adding a soft power dimension to Xi's state visit. So while the cameras captured the handshakes, the laughter and the pat on the back, the real test will come from what happens behind closed doors. There was more happening behind the main Xi-Trump photo-ops. The two sides announced what they called a new joint arrangement, though details of deal remain limited. At the same time, a group of Chinese CEOs flew into Washington separately, waiting for possible invitations to Trump's state dinner for Xi. And outside the White House, protesters chanted Xi Jinping is not welcome and free Hong Kong. The demonstrations brought together Tibetan, Uyghur, Hong Kong, Taiwanese and Chinese pro-democracy groups. The protesters were calling for greater freedoms and the release of political prisoners. But while the two leaders, every gesture is being scrutinized in Washington, back home in China, people are watching whether this meeting can actually stabilize US-China ties. I can only say I hope China-US relations keep improving. When two major powers lock horns, it hurts everyone, especially when it comes to tariffs. Since our work is connected to foreign trade, I really hope all countries can maintain a friendly approach to tariffs. With trade, technology, AI and security on the table, Washington and Beijing are trying to put a different face on a relationship that has often been defined by rivalry. And perhaps that is the biggest takeaway from Xi's visit. The world is watching not just how these two leaders shake hands, but whether they can keep the handshake going. Face to face. Trade. Taiwan. AI. And the future of the global order. We will track every move. We will bring you every development. And decode what it means for India and the world. On Vantage, with me, Hemkar Saroja.