Trump's shift from China critic to Xi's host

President Donald Trump is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state dinner on Thursday, marking a significant shift from his earlier campaign rhetoric that criticized China as an economic menace to the U.S. Trump has repeatedly praised Xi, calling him "a great gentleman," and has declined to criticize China on issues like satellite imagery for Iran and alleged voter file access. This shift follows the failure of Trump's tariff strategy, which backfired as China leveraged its rare earth monopoly to force a trade armistice. Trump's approach has undermined traditional alliances, with critics saying he is executing Xi's wedge tactics and helping portray China as a more stable power. The visit's policy outcomes remain unclear, with experts noting the relationship itself may be the primary deliverable.