Chinese political scholar Zheng Yongnian argues the West is 'brain‑dead' ideologically and praises Trump’s anti‑ideological, domestic‑first posture as creating room for U.S.–China accommodation. He claims Trump is willing to trade some global hegemony to address domestic fallout from liberalism, a notable shift from Zheng’s earlier caution.
— If PRC elites increasingly view Trump as a pragmatic counterpart, Beijing may pursue deals or pressure campaigns tailored to a 2025–2028 Trump administration.
Thomas des Garets Geddes
2025.09.01
70% relevant
Da Wei emphasizes Trump’s desire for an autumn Xi–Trump meeting and his habit of threatening punitive tariffs before settling, implying Beijing can exploit a window for a pragmatic deal despite unpredictability.
Thomas des Garets Geddes
2025.08.31
50% relevant
Andrew Small’s intro notes Beijing may try to ease India’s pushback in multilateral forums amid New Delhi’s rising tensions with the Trump administration—echoing the broader thesis that PRC elites view Trump-era shifts as openings for strategic deal‑making.
Noah Smith
2025.08.18
70% relevant
The article argues Trump’s stance and U.S. elite distraction have shifted America toward a de facto neutral posture, aligning with Chinese scholars’ view that a Trump-era window exists for accommodation or deal-making rather than escalation.
Thomas des Garets Geddes
2025.06.27
100% relevant
Zheng’s approval of 'the Trump administration's disregard for ideology' and assertion that this sacrifices hegemony to fix U.S. domestic problems.
N.S. Lyons
2025.01.20
66% relevant
By framing early 2025 as a 'moment of particular danger' where Xi might test U.S. resolve over Taiwan, the article aligns with PRC analysts’ view that a Trump window could be exploited for a decisive move or coercive deal, even if via military fait accompli rather than negotiation.