What is the Thucydides Trap and why did Xi Jinping mention it in his meeting with Donald Trump?
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- During a meeting in Beijing, Chinese leader Xi Jinping referenced the ancient Peloponnesian War and the concept of the "Thucydides Trap," highlighting the risk of conflict when a rising power challenges an established one, implicitly addressing US-China tensions.
- Xi warned that mishandling the Taiwan issue, which China claims as its own, could lead to conflict and severely damage China-US relations, emphasizing Taiwan as the most critical point in their bilateral ties.
- Despite the warnings, Xi expressed optimism at a state banquet, suggesting that China and the US could manage their differences and pursue mutual growth and global well-being.
- In response, former US President Donald Trump acknowledged Xi’s comments on the US potentially being a declining nation but asserted that under his leadership, the US had become stronger, expressing hope for improved China-US relations.