Battle Lines Is the US losing the Pacific to China?
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Nov 3, 2025 
Join Ben Bland, an expert in Asia-Pacific diplomacy, and Steve Tsang, a specialist in Chinese politics, as they dissect Trump’s flamboyant Asia tour. They dive into the optics of the Trump-Xi meeting and debate its actual outcomes. Was it merely a spectacle for show? The duo unpacks the implications of rare earth deals and the status of the US-China trade conflict. They also explore Taiwan’s surprising absence in discussions and assess the strength of US alliances in Asia, considering the growing influence of China.
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Visuals Trumped Substance In Xi Meeting
- Trump's meeting with Xi projected parity, making the US look like a supplicant in optics.
- That image was valuable to Beijing even if strategic power still favours the US.
Rare-Earth Delay Is A Tactical Move
- China agreed to delay rare-earth export curbs for a year largely as a bargaining lever.
- Beijing expects to use that year to bolster its advanced-chip capacity and retain long-term advantage.
China’s Practical Edge In Rare-Earths
- China dominates >90% of rare-earth processing by absorbing pollution and investment costs.
- Short-term relief from export restraint reduces incentives for rivals to invest in alternatives.