Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul said that President Donald Trump's public praise of Chinese President Xi Jinping reflects a position of weakness [1].
This assessment suggests that the diplomatic tone adopted by the U.S. executive branch may undermine American leverage in critical geopolitical negotiations. By framing the relationship through personal friendship rather than strategic reciprocity, the U.S. risks signaling a lack of resolve to global partners and adversaries [1].
McFaul said the situation is an "asymmetry of praise" [1]. He said that Trump has referred to Xi as a "friend," while the Chinese leader has not offered similar public warmth [1, 2]. This imbalance in diplomatic signaling can be interpreted as a failure to maintain a balanced power dynamic between the two superpowers [2].
The timing of this praise is a central point of concern for McFaul. He said that praising Xi after the Chinese leader issued warnings to Trump regarding Taiwan reflects a strategic weakness for the United States [1, 2]. According to McFaul, rewarding a warning with public affection removes the incentive for China to moderate its behavior in the Taiwan Strait [1].
Diplomatic norms typically emphasize a balance of interests and a clear communication of red lines. McFaul said that the current approach deviates from these norms by prioritizing personal rapport over strategic objectives [2]. This shift in approach may complicate the ability of the U.S. to secure concessions on trade, or security issues, if the other party perceives a lack of willingness to employ pressure [1, 2].
McFaul's critique highlights a broader debate over whether personal diplomacy can override systemic rivalry. While some argue that friendship between leaders prevents conflict, others suggest it creates a facade that masks deeper instabilities and weakens the negotiating hand of the party offering the praise [1].
“Trump’s public praise of Xi as a “friend” shows an “asymmetry of praise.””
The critique by Michael McFaul underscores a fundamental tension in U.S. foreign policy: the conflict between personalist diplomacy and institutional strategic deterrence. If the U.S. signals excessive friendliness while China maintains a firm or cautionary stance on core issues like Taiwan, it creates a perception of a power imbalance. This asymmetry can embolden adversaries to push boundaries, believing that the U.S. is more interested in maintaining a personal relationship with leadership than in enforcing strategic red lines.
