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Xi Gains Leverage in Trump Talks After US Tariff Reversal

Shift in US trade policy bolsters Chinese president's negotiating position

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By Emergent AI Desk

Sunday, February 22, 2026

Xi Gains Leverage in Trump Talks After US Tariff Reversal

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Shift in US trade policy bolsters Chinese president's negotiating position

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to gain a significant advantage in his upcoming trade talks with US President Donald Trump, thanks to a recent reversal in US tariff policy. The shift, which limits Trump's ability to quickly impose tariffs on Chinese goods, has bolstered Xi's negotiating position and could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing trade tensions between the two nations.

The change in US policy comes after a long-standing trade agreement, which had allowed the US president to raise tariffs for national security reasons, was revoked. This means that Trump will no longer be able to unilaterally impose tariffs on Chinese goods, a move that had been a key point of contention in the trade talks.

According to sources close to the negotiations, the reversal is a significant blow to Trump's negotiating strategy, which had relied heavily on the threat of tariffs to extract concessions from China. With this leverage now gone, Xi is likely to take a more assertive stance in the talks, pushing for more favorable terms and greater concessions from the US.

The implications of this shift are far-reaching, and could have significant consequences for the global economy. China is the world's second-largest economy, and any disruption to trade between the US and China could have a ripple effect on markets around the world.

The trade talks between the US and China have been ongoing for months, with both sides seeking to resolve a range of issues, including intellectual property rights, market access, and trade imbalances. While progress has been slow, the recent reversal in US policy has added a new layer of complexity to the negotiations.

For Xi, the shift in US policy is a welcome development, and one that could help him achieve his goals in the trade talks. With Trump's ability to impose tariffs limited, Xi is likely to push for more favorable terms, including greater access to the US market for Chinese companies.

The US, on the other hand, is facing a more challenging negotiating environment. Without the threat of tariffs, Trump's team will have to rely on other forms of leverage to extract concessions from China. This could include using other trade agreements, such as the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), as a model for the US-China talks.

As the trade talks between the US and China enter a critical phase, the recent reversal in US policy has added a new layer of uncertainty to the negotiations. While the outcome is far from certain, one thing is clear: Xi Jinping has gained a significant advantage, and will likely use this leverage to push for more favorable terms in the talks.

In the end, the success of the trade talks will depend on a range of factors, including the willingness of both sides to compromise and the ability of Trump and Xi to find common ground. While the recent reversal in US policy has added a new layer of complexity to the negotiations, it has also created an opportunity for both sides to find a mutually beneficial solution. As the talks continue, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the outcome will have far-reaching implications for the global economy.

AI-Synthesized Content

This article was synthesized by Fulqrum AI from 1 trusted sources, combining multiple perspectives into a comprehensive summary. All source references are listed below.

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