Xi Brings Together World Leaders in Tianjin: Challenging the US-Led Order

A Summit in Trump’s Shadow

In the Chinese port city of Tianjin, Xi Jinping stood side by side with Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi. Their agenda covered not only trade and security, but also a shared dissatisfaction with the US-led world order.

“These countries are united in their disapproval of Washington’s policies, but not necessarily in a shared vision,” says Carla Freeman from Johns Hopkins University.

Modi’s first visit to China in seven years also highlights how the Trump administration’s tariff policies have strained old alliances.

Economic Promises and Powerful Imagery

Xi pledged $1.4 billion in loans and emphasized a “mega-market” within the SCO partnership. At the same time, Beijing showcased its strength with a major military parade in the capital—a visual display designed to reinforce China’s role as a global power.

According to Claus Soong from the Mercator Institute, China and Russia are sending a clear message: “The West is no longer the only dominant force.”

A Club with Deep Divisions

The organization, originally created to address border threats in Central Asia, now includes ten members and several applicants. But behind the smiles, there are deep tensions—not least between India and Pakistan.

China promotes the SCO as a forum for cooperation, but in practice, it often serves as diplomatic breathing space for leaders under pressure, such as those from Iran and Belarus.

Can China Become the World’s Counterweight?

Analysts point out that the summit is primarily symbolic. It allows China to present itself as an alternative to Washington, without committing to binding treaties.

For Xi, the goal is to demonstrate resolve at a time when Trump has sown global uncertainty. But as one expert put it: “It’s more a display of discontent than a concrete project for the future.”

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