DOMINANT ANGLE
Stockholm is deciphering Washington's diplomatic display by comparing it to what it leaves in the shadows: the alleged Chinese support for Iran's military industry, Beijing's pressure on arms deliveries to Taiwan, and Xi's warning against the "Thucydide trap".
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
For the first time since 1962 (JFK welcoming Harold Macmillan), a US president has come to personally greet a foreign leader on the tarmac, at Joint Base Andrews
- 02
The trade truce between Washington and Beijing has been extended by two months until January 10, announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent upon Xi's arrival
- 03
Sveriges Radio reports that Xi Jinping is expected to pressure Trump to stop the suspended arms package destined for Taiwan, while Expressen relays revelations from the Wall Street Journal about Chinese support for Iran's military industry
ANALYSIS
Stockholm, September 25, 2026. The Swedish press is detailing the unprecedented pomp and circumstance deployed by Washington to welcome Xi Jinping, while also highlighting what this display leaves in the shadows. Dagens Nyheter recalls that no American president had personally welcomed a foreign leader on the tarmac since 1962, when John F. Kennedy received British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. On Wednesday evening, Donald and Melania Trump went to Joint Base Andrews to welcome Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, with a red carpet rolled out and anthems played by a military band. Expressen notes that this gesture contrasts with Trump's visit to Beijing in May, where Xi had delegated his vice president to welcome him at the airport.
Shortly after landing, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the extension of the trade truce by two months, until January 10, according to Sveriges Radio and Expressen. The state dinner brought together, according to Svenska Dagbladet citing Politico, the leaders of several tech giants: Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai, Michael Dell, Jensen Huang, Sam Altman, and Tim Cook. Xi Jinping declared that "China and the United States must act as responsible great powers," reports Aftonbladet, while Trump touted their friendship: "we have done fantastic things for our countries when we have worked together."
But Dagens Nyheter warns that this cordial atmosphere could be disrupted by new revelations about extended Chinese support for Iran's military industry. Expressen, citing the Wall Street Journal, describes a "double game" by Beijing, which publicly claimed to be working to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran while providing support to Iran's arsenal. Sveriges Radio also reports that Xi Jinping is expected to pressure Trump to completely halt the suspended arms package destined for Taiwan, an island that Beijing threatens to retake by force.
Xi warned against the "Thucydides trap" and advocated for "partner" rather than "rival" relations. But Expressen notes that Trump's effusive compliments on Xi's vitality and his wife's beauty were met with silence: according to a researcher from the FDD think tank cited by NBC, "Xi doesn't need Trump's friendship. He needs leeway."
SOURCES (5)
- Dagens NyheterMEDIUM
- Svenska DagbladetMEDIUM
- ExpressenMEDIUM
- Sveriges RadioMEDIUM
- AftonbladetMEDIUM
