The military might of the People's Republic of China was on full display in a parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two on Wednesday. Thousands of miles away, at the White House in Washington DC, Donald Trump was paying attention.
They were hoping I was watching, and I was watching, he said, although he did not elaborate on his thoughts about the display in Tiananmen Square, which he found very, very impressive. The implications of the event appear significant: a message from China indicating its emergence as a new center of global power, posing a challenge to the long-standing American-dominated order.
Trump's response mentioned little about the broader meaning of China's military display, reflecting a mix of ambivalence and concern. This was underscored during a meeting with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, where Trump’s thoughts appeared circuitous and tentative.
Earlier in the week, Trump had downplayed concerns over the parade filled with international leaders, including Putin and Kim Jong Un, claiming he was not concerned. However, by evening, he had expressed frustration on social media for China's perceived lack of acknowledgment of American contributions during World War Two, suggesting a growing anxiety about China's narrative in a changing global landscape.
Trump has long shown an affinity for military parades, as evidenced by his previous celebrations in the U.S. His own events were marked by a nostalgic homage to America's military history. In contrast, China’s parade presented high-tech weaponry and precision, sending a clear signal of its growing military capabilities.
The recent meeting of Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an economic summit further illustrates the shifting alliances in response to Trump’s tariff policies that have an adverse effect on global alignments. This growing rapport may symbolize a new geopolitical framework emerging in the wake of the U.S. trade approach under Trump, who sees tariffs as protective measures for American industry despite their diplomatic costs.
As Trump navigates this complex international landscape, his straightforward maxim of ‘America First’ may face real challenges. His ambitious trade agenda could be at risk, with recent judicial rulings questioning the legality of his tariffs potentially leading toward an unraveling of the America-centric trade policies established during his administration.
Overall, the events around China's military display and the ongoing geopolitical shifts depict a landscape fraught with risk for Trump's policies, where military parades symbolize both national strength and a challenge to U.S. dominance.
