Trump, Hegseth, Musk: Maga lands in Beijing
5/14/202626 min
Senior China correspondent Amy Hawkins talks through the high-stakes meeting in Beijing between presidents Trump and Xi. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
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First 90 secondsAnnie Kelly· Host0:00
This is The Guardian. [upbeat music] Today, what does China want from Trump? Let's travel back in time to what feels like a lifetime ago, 2017. [upbeat music] A freshly inaugurated Donald Trump arrives in Beijing and steps out of a stretch limo. A military band starts up. Happy children wave American flags. And throughout his trip, China pulls out all the stops to give Trump the kind of treatment he drools over.
Amy Hawkins· Guest0:46
No expense is spared to show him a good time and give him the kind of pageantry which we all now know that he really enjoys.
Annie Kelly· Host0:54
Every effort is made to make him feel special.
Amy Hawkins· Guest0:57
They gave him a private tour of the Forbidden City, which is quite rare. They took him into rooms in this ancient imperial palace that US presidents have not stepped into before.
Annie Kelly· Host1:07
The carpet under his feet is almost always red.
Amy Hawkins· Guest1:11
Back then, you know, China really wanted to impress Trump. Trump was this kind of unknown quantity who China was keen to build a good relationship with.
Annie Kelly· Host1:19
[upbeat music] Fast-forward to 2026 and Trump is back in China. Same city, same leaders,