THE ESSEX FILES: The CCP Is Scrambling
China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, recently met with a bipartisan group of U.S. senators in Beijing and described relations between the two countries as broadly stable, even after a year marked by twists and disruptions. The timing was no coincidence. As President Trump prepares to visit China and meet with President Xi Jinping, Beijing is signaling its desire for continuity and cooperation on global issues.
This comes against a backdrop of real tensions – trade imbalances, technological restrictions and the perennial Taiwan crisis. Yet Wang’s message was measured: both sides should work to maintain stability and contribute to peace. It’s a familiar diplomatic dance, but one worth watching closely in the context of Trump’s approach. The story offers a useful parallel.
In 1972, Richard Nixon, a staunch anti-communist, made a revolutionary trip to Beijing. The phrase that emerged – “Only Nixon could go to China” – conveyed a simple truth: Sometimes it takes a leader with strong credentials on the other side of an issue to make a pragmatic overture without being accused of weakness.
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Nixon’s decision did not mean that he had become soft on communism. This meant that he recognized the strategic value of engaging directly with a major power rather than isolating it completely. President Trump finds himself in a similar situation. His first term demonstrated a willingness to confront China over unfair trade practices, intellectual property theft and national security risks in a way that previous administrations had avoided.
Tariffs, export controls, and a clear emphasis on bringing manufacturing jobs back home defined this policy. Critics called it reckless; supporters saw it as late realism. The result was a reset that recognized competition without pretending that the relationship was purely cooperative. Now, in his current term, Trump is once again engaging at the highest level. The meetings and diplomatic exchanges which preceded this visit suggest an effort aimed at obtaining tangible results, whether on trade balances, fentanyl precursors, access to technology or regional stability. This is not a naive commitment in itself.
Rubio, who introduced the bill to end the killing of Falun Gong practitioners for their organs, says it is a top priority during President Trump’s trip to China. @POTUS, @SecRubioplease pressure Beijing to release Jimmy Lai from prison. https://t.co/5NWUczbFM8
-Lily Tang Williams (@Lily4Liberty) May 7, 2026
This is a negotiation based on strength. Trump has consistently asserted that the United States negotiates best when it does so from a position of economic and military leverage, not wishful multilateralism. This approach has advantages. A leader who has openly challenged Beijing’s practices is credible when he sits at the table. Allies and domestic skeptics alike understand that any deal reached will likely include hardline protections for U.S. interests.
The alternative—the pre-Trump status quo of deep economic entanglement with minimal pushback—has left the United States vulnerable in terms of supply chains, technology, and strategic competition. None of this erases the challenges. China remains a formidable rival with its own clear objectives, particularly regarding Taiwan and its regional influence. Stability in the relationship does not mean giving in to core U.S. interests or letting down our guard. This means managing competition so that it does not escalate into unnecessary conflict, while emphasizing reciprocity.
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump’s trip to China is approaching FULL STEAM: Two more U.S. C17 military transport planes carrying advanced supplies have officially landed in Beijing.
In total, 4 machines have now landed, @safaricheung
Air Force One landing is going to be AMAZING 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wHQF6EXD7k
– Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 4, 2026
U.S. policy should continue to prioritize the resilience of the domestic manufacturing sector, alliances with partners in the Indo-Pacific region, and clear security red lines. Trump’s willingness to engage fits squarely into a model of pragmatic conservatism: compete vigorously when necessary, but don’t reject diplomacy when it can serve American workers and security.
Just as Nixon’s overture reshaped global alignments without compromising U.S. resolve, a clear-eyed approach today can protect economic sovereignty while reducing avoidable friction. The next meetings will make it possible to check whether concrete progress follows the discourse of stability. If they resulted in fairer trading conditions, reduced illicit flows, or greater predictability in the relationship, that would represent a practical success, not because China suddenly aligned with American values, but because a strong American leader derived value from a difficult partnership.
In foreign policy, results matter more than ideological purity. Trump understood this a long time ago. History could still indicate that only he could pursue this path at present with the credibility it demands.
Editor’s note: Thanks to President Trump and the bold leadership of his administration, we are respected on the world stage and our enemies are put on notice.
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