With an assist from anti-Trump commentators, Xi Jinping will enter this week’s summit in Beijing bolstered by a media narrative of impregnable Chinese economic strength and chokeholds over a beleaguered rival in Washington.
In reality, President Trump holds cards that could seriously undermine Mr. Xi’s economic and political plans. The Trump team has been signaling a strategy to stabilize the relationship, particularly through a “managed trade” agenda. But, at a minimum, Mr. Trump should demand that China ratchet back its support for Iranian and Russian autocracies as the price for a bilateral truce.