The Trump-Xi summit exposes a US disadvantage in the Global South

Xi Jinping's state visit to the US highlighted the strategic differences between Beijing and Washington, especially in the context of the Global South. Beijing emphasized diplomatic support without military involvement, while the US, embroiled in the Iran war and regional tensions, seeks to assert dominance and pressure countries to choose sides. China's approach of mediating without deploying troops offers a strategic advantage, particularly in the Gulf, where countries like Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Doha see opportunities to balance their relations with Tehran and the US.