Xi and Putin Defy Trump’s Trade War, Vow to Fight Global Bullying

In a bold display of defiance, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin convened in Moscow on Thursday, vowing to counter what they call "international bullying" amid escalating tensions from President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies. The meeting, their first since Trump intensified the U.S.-China trade war with hefty 145% tariffs on Chinese exports, underscored a deepening anti-Western alliance.

Xi, speaking on the eve of Russia’s Victory Day, drew parallels to World War II, noting the "tremendous sacrifices" made by both nations for global peace. "Today, we face unilateral power plays and coercion on the world stage," he declared, pledging China’s support for Russia as permanent U.N. Security Council members to uphold their version of global stability.

The timing was symbolic, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s surrender. A grand celebration planned for Moscow’s Red Square on Friday will see Chinese troops join the parade, alongside leaders from 20 nations, including Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Putin, more restrained, insisted their partnership serves mutual interests, not opposition to others—a claim that rings hollow given their rhetoric.

Their alliance, solidified before Russia’s 2022 Ukraine invasion, has grown alongside ties with Iran and North Korea, raising alarms in the West. Yet, the Trump administration’s pivot away from traditional allies could soften these divides, potentially at the cost of U.S. influence. Both leaders also expressed intent to engage in Trump’s push for a new Iranian nuclear deal, though their role remains vague, hinging on talks facilitated by Oman.

Putin leaned into historical narratives, framing their bond as a bulwark against "neo-Nazism and militarism"—a nod to his discredited justification for Ukraine’s invasion. Xi, meanwhile, took direct aim at U.S. policies, signaling a united front against perceived Western dominance. As global tensions simmer, this partnership signals a bold challenge to the international order.