7am When Donald Trump met Xi Jinping
Oct 30, 2025
Hamish Macdonald, host of the ABC podcast Global Roaming and foreign affairs commentator, breaks down the recent meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. The stakes for Australia are high, as tensions between the U.S. and China impact its security and economy. Hamish contrasts Trump's quick-win approach with Xi's long-term strategy. Key issues like tariffs, tech dominance, and critical minerals are discussed. He highlights the cautious hope for de-escalation and the importance of ongoing dialogue between the two superpowers.
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Why The Meeting Mattered For Australia
- The Trump–Xi meeting mattered deeply for Australia because both leaders shape its security and economic fate.
- Hamish Macdonald warns that poor US–China relations create heightened risks for Australia’s prosperity and safety.
An Unusually Smooth Summit
- Hamish recounts the meeting ran for an hour and 40 minutes and appeared to go smoothly.
- He contrasts Trump’s upbeat public praise with the more scripted Chinese style to show differing leadership manners.
Escalate-to-De‑escalate Dynamics
- The relationship had recently been deliberately antagonistic from the US side, with heavy tariffs and export controls.
- Hamish describes a pattern of 'escalate to de‑escalate' largely driven by both sides' recent trade moves.