Why Desperate Trump Can’t Spin This Failure

Key Points:

• Michael Wolff, President Trump's longtime biographer, criticized Trump's portrayal of his China visit as a U.S. victory, highlighting China's growing political, economic, and military power during the summit.
• Despite a lavish welcome and a show of Chinese strength, the Trump administration attempted to spin the visit positively, including posting a video that many saw as showcasing Chinese rather than American military power.
• Trump praised his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, claiming improved ties and better outcomes for the U.S., though Wolff noted Trump's shift from confrontation to conciliatory behavior lacks clear strategic goals.
• Wolff suggested Trump is aware of the visit's challenges and may seek to mitigate perceptions of failure through lucrative side deals, exemplified by Boeing's announcement of a major aircraft sale to China after the summit.
• The Boeing deal marks the company's first significant sale to China in nearly a decade, underscoring the transactional nature of the visit despite broader concerns about U.S. standing in relation to China.