Roses, Trees, and Power: The Symbolism Behind the Trump-Xi Summit

An opinion piece analyzes the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing, arguing that while few traditional diplomatic deliverables were achieved, the symbolism and optics were critical successes for President Xi. The summit demonstrated the two leaders interacting as equals, with Xi using strategic symbolism through Imperial Gardens, ancient trees, and roses to underscore China's millennia-long civilization compared to America's 250-year history.