Trump’s ‘art of the deal’ playbook is failing as Beijing asserts itself

Against the backdrop of a shifting diplomatic landscape, US President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Beijing this week for a high-stakes summit. While Washington frames the visit, delayed by the Iran" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="126039" data-entity-type="event">war in Iran, as a pivotal effort to rebalance ties, the bravado of maximum pressure masks a deepening domestic vulnerability.Trump’s arrival comes at a critical juncture; his administration faces multiple crises. The looming 2026 midterms have intensified pressure from a restless agricultural heartland and conglomerates frustrated by fragmented supply chains, all while stubborn inflation continues to sour the American mood.This domestic discontent is reflected in Trump’s plummeting approval ratings, which have hit historic lows as voters grow weary of economic instability and the administration’s aggressive rhetoric. These internal fractures are mirrored on the world stage, where protracted conflict with Iran has triggered a sharp decline in US global standing.