Deputy Editorial Page EditorWhile President Trump was “all by myself in the White House” over Christmas, watching the “guys out on the lawn with machine guns,” Russia’s Vladi­mir Putin seemed to be contemplating another war with Ukraine. Xi and Trump are engaged in a trade negotiation that could be crucial to the fortunes of both countries this year. Last week, Trump predicted the markets will rebound “once we settle trade issues .” Xi’s most likely conclusion: He can wait Trump out. Beijing will offer to settle the trade war for token measures, such as a promise to buy more U.S. products. He wallows in his ignorance and his prejudices, all alone in the White House.

Source: Washington Post January 06, 2019 23:48 UTC