As the world’s two most powerful leaders gear up for their meeting, the typical barrage of Republican alarms about the dangers of engaging with Beijing has vanished. This quiet marks the peak of President Donald Trump’s suppression of long-standing GOP doctrine on China, which has swept away years of aggressive stances on issues ranging from technology to national defense. He has approved the export of sophisticated AI chips to Beijing, despite congressional cautions over potential espionage threats. He approved an agreement permitting the Chinese-founded app TikTok to keep operating in the United States, notwithstanding national-security worries. As part of his National Defense Strategy, he dropped the harsh anti-China rhetoric in favor of a more conciliatory approach while the administration prioritizes homeland security. Now, as the president prepares for a crucial summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping—joined by tech executives, family members, and Cabinet officials—Trump seeks to forge fresh agreements on technology, trade, and possibly even Taiwan. Senior Republicans within the administration and on Capitol Hill have fallen silent, yielding to Trump’s push for closer ties between two longtime adversaries. “Donald Trump is the key dove,” said Dan Blumenthal, a former Defense Department official under George W. Bush. W. Bush and a commissioner on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. He seeks stability. He is simply in awe of China’s strength and thinks we currently lack the ability to prevail in a strategic rivalry. The transition from Trump’s initial term has been substantial.
Artificial Intelligence – POLITICO