Xi Jinping to Trump: Can China-US Avoid the Thucydides Trap?

Beijing - Chinese President Xi Jinping, during a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Beijing on Thursday (14/5), emphasised the importance of building stable China-US relations and avoiding the ‘Thucydides Trap.’

‘Can China and the United States escape the ’Thucydides Trap’ and create a new paradigm for relations between major countries? Can we jointly address global challenges and provide greater stability for the world?’ said President Xi during the meeting with President Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday (14/5), as stated on the official website of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Thucydides Trap refers to the tense situation when a rising great power (or state) is perceived as threatening to displace an established power, which historically often leads to war.

In this context, the reference can be interpreted in light of China’s continuously growing power, which is seen as challenging US global leadership.

Thucydides himself was an ancient Greek historian who wrote the book ‘History of the Peloponnesian War,’ recounting the war between Athens and Sparta in the 5th century BC. His work is regarded as the first political and moral analysis of inter-state war, making him considered the father of scientific history and political realism.

‘These are important questions for history, for the world, and for the public. These are questions of our era that we, as leaders of major countries, need to answer together,’ said Xi.

He also expressed readiness to work with Trump to determine the direction and steer the giant ship of China-US relations, making 2026 a historic and important year that opens a new chapter in China-US relations.

President Xi also stressed that China is committed to developing stable, good, and sustainable China-US relations.

‘I have agreed with President Trump on a new vision for building a constructive and strategically stable China-US relationship. This will provide strategic guidance for China-US relations over the next three years and beyond, and will be welcomed by the people of both countries and the international community,’ said Xi.

‘Constructive strategic stability,’ according to Xi, means positive stability with cooperation as the foundation, healthy stability with competition within reasonable bounds, constant stability with manageable differences, and enduring stability with anticipated peace.

President Xi noted that China-US economic and trade relations are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature.

‘If there are differences of opinion and frictions, equal consultation is the only correct choice. Yesterday, our economic and trade teams achieved generally balanced and positive results. This is good news for the people of both countries and the world,’ explained Xi.

Xi stated that both countries must jointly maintain the positive momentum that we have worked hard to create.

‘China will only open its doors wider. US businesses are deeply involved in China’s reform and opening-up. China welcomes even more mutually beneficial cooperation from the US,’ emphasised Xi.