Was it only pomp?

Three days ago, "US President Donald Trump treated Chinese President Xi Jinping to a rare personal airport welcome,...kicking off a pomp-filled state visit aimed at smoothing superpower tensions on everything from AI and trade to Iran." NDTV. As Xi left Washington, "The summits between the world's two largest economies featured military flyovers, ceremonial tours and a state dinner, but left unresolved major differences over trade, AI, Taiwan and China ties to Iran." "One tangible outcome of the visit was that the US and China agreed to extend by two months a trade truce that was due to expire on November 10." Reuters. "Xi said he expects to meet Trump two more times this year. Xi extended an invite for Trump and his wife, Melania, to go to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shanzhen, China, in November." And "again a month later at the G20 summit at the Trump National Doral Miami golf club in Florida." ET. Why was this visit at all necessary? It is not as if China and the US are so friendly that the two were pining for each other, or so bad that a personal meeting was necessary to avert conflict. At 24% Trump's approval rating is the lowest ever and, at 53% to 41% (PBS.org), the Democrats are expecting to sweep both houses of the Congress in the mid term election on 3 November 2026  (ballotpedia.org). This visit is not going to help even one percentage point. "Satellite imagery and intelligence support provided by Chinese groups have helped Iran threaten ships in the Strait of Hormuz and launch precision strikes on US military bases in the Middle East." CNN. "Iran has used a barter-like arrangement to bypass sanctions on its oil sales and buy billions of dollars' worth of goods from China, including military gear," sources told Reuters. On the other hand, China helped contain the rise in the price of oil. "China sharply reduced its crude oil imports during the first half of the Iran war," as "Chinese crude imports averaged 8.1 million barrels per day in the second quarter, nearly 4 million barrels per day, or 32%, lower than in the first three months of the year." Apparently, Beijing had built its strategic petroleum reserve to around 1.4 billion barrels by the end of last year." BT. US blockade of Iranian ports has cut off its exports. "Iran's oil exports, which form the backbone of state revenues and foreign exchange earnings, fell close to zero in July after the US reimposed blockage, down from $4.5 billion in June." "Iranian oil stored at sea beyond the US naval fleet off its coast fell from roughly 180 million barrels to about 60 million in early July." WSJ. China's economy is not as hot as it used to be. "What might once have seemed unthinkable - unrelated adults sharing the same room and even their bed to save money - is emerging as a symbol of the financial pressures confronting many young Chinese." Reuters. This month, "China has imposed a range of sweeping new rules restricting travel in and out of the country in a move that observers say will give the government even more control over its citizens." BBC. Xi Jinping's hurried departure from Delhi after the BRICS summit last week gave rise to rumors that he had suffered a severe ischemic stroke." Mint. But Xi could have been afraid of a military coup back home. "News...of the ruling Politburo's expulsion of two top military leaders, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, from the Communist Party and the military, signaled the latest move in the long-running crackdown." "Initially the crackdown targeted corruption," "But increasingly it has taken on a political edge." Reuters. Since 2022, over 100 senior People's Liberation Army (PLA) officers have been purged, including 36 generals and lieutenant generals. China Power. Now, Trump is soon to become an extremely 'lame duck' president while Xi can't rest to recuperate because he is terrified of being purged. So, was Trump put on this show to make Xi look good back home, or does Xi have a plan to flood the world with oil, crashing prices and bringing down inflation which will make Trump look good. After continually asking for a deal Trump has rejected a ceasefire offer by Iran (Fox). Is that the result of a conspiracy between Trump and Xi? How will it pan out? So exciting. Suspense.