Xi Jinping Readies for Direct Clash with Donald Trump: Only One Will Prevail

According to Rokna, citing The Guardian, Xi Jinping is preparing for a direct confrontation with Donald Trump — and analysts say there may be only one winner. Beijing has come to realize that Washington’s erratic “America First” policies are driving away traditional allies and new partners alike, creating a global vacuum that China is eager to fill.

Last week, Donald Trump, self-assured and celebratory, appeared before cameras in Sharm el-Sheikh, proclaiming himself the savior of Gaza while praising autocratic figures such as Egypt’s Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who helped engineer his fragile ceasefire deal. But later this month, Trump will face a far more formidable figure — China’s President Xi Jinping. In the global race for dominance in the 21st century, Xi appears to be pulling ahead, capitalizing on Trump’s missteps.

While debate still persists in the West about China’s true ambitions, its global conduct leaves little doubt. Beijing’s aggressive expansionism — from its economic empire-building and suppression of freedoms in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet, to its regional military assertiveness and cyber-espionage — signals a clear strategic agenda.

China’s recent move to tighten export controls on rare-earth minerals and magnets — critical components for electronics, vehicles, and advanced weapons — underscores this. The decision, seen as a calculated act of economic pressure, could disrupt Western defense supplies to Ukraine and weaken deterrence against Russia, a close ally of Beijing.

The United States, which has long exercised extraterritorial authority in trade, now finds China mirroring its tactics. Trump reacted furiously to Beijing’s announcement, threatening new tariffs and canceling his planned meeting with Xi, only to retreat amid market turmoil. Despite his bluster, Washington’s retaliatory measures continue to spark fears of a global downturn.

Unlike Trump, Xi appears strategic and deliberate. Analysts believe Beijing is done waiting and is now moving offensively. China’s leadership sees Trump’s policies as an opportunity — alienating allies in Europe and Asia, weakening U.S. influence, and discrediting the international order that Washington once led.

As the U.S. withdraws, China advances — expanding its influence through the BRICS bloc, strengthening ties with Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and positioning itself as a champion of the Global South. Initiatives such as the “Global Development” and “Global Security” frameworks contrast sharply with Washington’s retreat from diplomacy and aid.

Meanwhile, China’s dominance in rare-earth production, crucial for military technology, highlights the growing imbalance. With exports to the U.S. declining but global trade rising, Beijing has diversified its markets, while U.S. farmers, consumers, and industries bear the brunt of the trade war.

For the United Kingdom, this shifting balance of power brings discomfort. Marginalized by both Washington and Beijing, and estranged from Europe, London risks becoming a passive observer in a world increasingly defined by the U.S.-China rivalry.

As Xi asserts control abroad and Trump continues his unpredictable course, the geopolitical contest for supremacy intensifies. And for now, it seems the momentum lies firmly with Beijing.