Chan Heng Chee says Trump-Xi summit aims to cement a workable US-China relationship

In an interview, Singapore’s former U.S. ambassador Chan Heng Chee dismissed analysts who view the second Trump-Xi summit as hype, asserting that the meeting’s primary deliverable was a functional relationship. She explained that President Xi’s main goal was to promote “constructive strategic stability,” a diplomatic concept meant to prevent the U.S.-China rivalry from turning into open conflict. Trump reinforced this view on one outlet, stating that the relationship itself was the most important outcome.

Chan pointed to the leaders’ mutual back-patting and references to past cooperation, such as fighting together in World War II, as evidence of an effort to establish comfort and cooperation. She also highlighted Xi’s mention of avoiding the “Thucydides trap” and the ongoing challenge of Taiwan in shaping stability. Chan added that future encounters at APEC, G20 and beyond will be crucial for maintaining the relationship.