Xi may see second Trump term creating opening on Taiwan

Trump win seen challenging Beijing in short term but potentially helping in long run

Donald Trump said recently during his election campaign that Chinese President Xi Jinping sent him a "beautiful note" after the former U.S. president was shot in the ear during a July 13 rally. © Reuters

TETSUSHI TAKAHASHI, Nikkei senior staff writer

July 24, 2024 22:04 JST

TOKYO -- With U.S. President Joe Biden ending his reelection bid, Chinese leader Xi Jinping might begin shaping his long-term foreign policy with an eye toward former President Donald Trump winning a second term in November.

At a campaign rally on Saturday, Trump said he received a "beautiful note" from the Chinese president after being shot in the ear at a July 13 event. China's Foreign Ministry had previously announced that Xi "expressed sympathies" to Trump after the shooting.