Commentary
In international relations, appearances are key.
The enormous difference between the lavish welcome and fruitful trip of Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Saudi Arabia versus U.S. President Joe Biden’s unsuccessful July visit to Riyadh is therefore not inconsequential. Quite the opposite. It is indicative of the fundamentally shifting nature of geopolitics and a U.S. administration that simultaneously reduces the country’s geopolitical position while creating a mockery of its culture and people. While other nations seek to act in their national interest, Washington prioritizes ideologically fueled left-wing policies that harm the American people.
Xi was welcomed graciously by his Arab hosts as the two parties discussed steps that would increase energy cooperation between their countries. He also focused on China’s continued efforts to have the yuan used in place of the dollar as the currency denomination for the Chinese-Saudi oil trade by utilizing the Shanghai Petroleum and National Gas Exchange as a payment platform. Such a move would signify a monumental shift in the geopolitical landscape to the advantage of Beijing….