Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks

Trump’s new term brought along unwelcome surprises for China: WashPo

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Washington Post
  • 25 Feb 2025 19:52
3 Min Read

The Washington Post says the recent call between the Chinese and Russian presidents came amid speculation that Trump’s abrupt shift toward closer US-Russia ties could sideline Beijing.

Listen
  • x
  • China reaffirms Russia as ‘true friend’ amid Trump-Putin ties: WashPo
    Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a welcoming ceremony prior to a festive reception at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 (Pool Photo via AP)

US President Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office has introduced a series of unwelcome surprises for Beijing, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

However, as Trump pushes for a swift resolution to the Ukraine war—disrupting decades of US policy toward Russia in the process—Chinese President Xi Jinping may find an opportunity amid the turbulence, the report indicated.

On Monday, Xi held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reaffirming their countries' strong ties on the third anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine. According to a Chinese readout, Xi described Moscow as a “true friend” and a “good neighbor”.

The Post said the call came amid speculation that Trump’s abrupt shift toward closer US-Russia ties could sideline Beijing. However, it mentioned that analysts believe the call also served to project confidence in the enduring alliance between China and Russia.

Despite concerns over shifting geopolitical dynamics, experts in both Washington and Beijing suggest that Chinese leaders see potential advantages in a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine war, the report noted.

“The call seems targeted against any speculation that Russia would deprioritize its relations with China as part of a grand bargain over Ukraine,” said Joseph Torigian, an expert on Russia-China relations at the American University in Washington. “But there are reasons to believe China is not that worried."

Related News

Toyota rejects $10 bln US investment claim in Japan

Trump administration overhauls ICE, reassigns top officials

Since the Ukraine war began in 2022, Beijing has provided Russia with vital economic and political support under their “no limits” partnership. Putin and Xi have maintained frequent communication—including just last month, following Trump’s inauguration—seeking to position their alliance as a counterbalance to the US-led global order.

While Russia has faced severe Western sanctions and growing international isolation, China has played a critical role in sustaining its economy. Beijing has supplied Moscow with key electronic components for the battlefield and remains a crucial market for Russian oil. Trade between the two nations surged nearly 70% from 2021 to 2024, according to Chinese customs data.

According to the report, Trump’s return to office has altered this landscape. Over the past month, he has signaled a willingness to engage with Putin, initiating US-Russia talks last week, accusing Ukraine of provoking the war, and referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “dictator”.

The Post highlighted that this rapid shift in US-Russia relations has led some to speculate that Trump may be attempting a “reverse Nixon”—a strategy mirroring President Richard Nixon’s 1972 détente with China, which countered Soviet influence. In this scenario, Trump would seek to isolate Beijing by fostering closer ties with Moscow.

However, experts on Russia-China relations view such an approach as unlikely, the report mentioned.

Cui Hongjian, a scholar of European studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, noted that while growing US-Russia engagement has “put some pressure on China,” it is unlikely to undermine the deep-rooted trust and mutual interests between Beijing and Moscow.

“China and Russia have built a more comprehensive partnership that extends beyond security to economic development,” Cui emphasized.

Read more: Trump claims Putin accepts idea of European peacekeepers in Ukraine

  • United States
  • Russia
  • US
  • China
  • Xi Jinping
  • Donald Trump
  • Vladimir Putin
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and Egyptian workers search for the bodies of hostages in a tunnel discovered during searches in Hamad City, Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' obstructing Gaza body recovery, creating false claims: Hamas

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawwaf Salam talks to US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus at the Grand Serail in Beirut, Lebanon, October 28, 2025 (NNA)
Politics

Salam conveys to Ortagus goals behind any possible negotiations

Writers boycott NYT, demand justice as Gaza media ban faces court
Politics

300+ writers boycott NYT Opinion, cite persistent anti-Palestine bias

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, Injure 3 Palestinians
Politics

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, injure 3 Palestinians

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS