White House official photographer Daniel Torok just announced that all of the Beijing trip photographs have been uploaded to the White House Flickr Account. I was hoping Torok captured this moment, and indeed he did.
President Trump gives quick comments to the assembled Press Pool at the White House upon return from China. WATCH:
The most interesting aspect to the Beijing trip was not and is not the trade success stories that surfaced during the trip {USTR Greer}. While President Trump brought titans of industry, tech and finance with him to Beijing, the emphasis is on relationships.
Stay elevated. Note the emphasis by Secretary Rubio was on geopolitical relations against the background of current events. Note how much narrative energy is spent on the ‘relationship’ aspect to President Trump and Chairman Xi, from both leaders and also on direct questions to all pertinent current events.
When questioned about issues, Trump, Rubio and Xi spoke of relations – not details of policy or current events. The venues within China were specific to something more akin to understanding motives behind policy, personal motives, historic motives from a personal perspective. It wasn’t a trip of transactions; the vibe, the frequency of it all, was seemingly dominated by something more important to the moment than dollars and yuan.
It seemed critical for both leaders to convey their mutual alignment, ensuring and emphasizing the importance of no conflict between their nations, even if policy differences are present. Both Rubio and Trump emphasized this overall tone.
To me, this makes sense given what I view as the current big picture.
President Trump is framing out an entirely new geopolitical alignment and both Russia and China are cornerstones in this construct.
The biggest losers right now, actual economic losers being hammered by the energy sector, are Europe the U.K, and all the commonwealth countries therein (including Canada). China is essentially in statis and lacking the needed power within this dynamic.
China’s power was through their industrial production which has one fatal flaw, dependency on customers.
We saw this play out in 2018 when the G7 in Canada erupted on Trump because their economies were shrinking. Their economies were shrinking because President Trump was confronting China (vis-a-vis tariffs and ASEAN replacement partnerships) and Beijing was responding by lowering prices and, unfortunately for the EU, stopping their purchases of industrial goods.
In 2018 and 2019 China stopped major purchases of industrial goods from the EU, that hurt the economy badly. That was the background for that infamous picture in Canada at the G7 meeting.
Shinzo Abe and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were fine. Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand all picked up business as President Trump told manufacturers to move production out of China and into ASEAN nations. That process was underway.
However, China started pulling back spending and devalued their currency as a strategy to lower prices and retain those manufacturers despite the tariffs. It is important to understand how this impacted Europe, especially Germany.
Fast forward to 2026 and the current energy issue. Once again President Trump has put the EU into a place of severe compromise, and without Russia being able to fill the void for the oil and gas missing from Venezuela and Iran, China would be in trouble.
Russia is filling that gap and China now in a position of dependency. Thus, with Big Panda experiencing dependency for the first time it becomes critical for Trump to emphasize that all is ok, don’t worry, we’re all friends. However, when Europe contracts it hits hard on China, and when China contracts it hits hard on Europe.
China’s long-term plan always included being able to infiltrate Europe, and they have been very successful. However, Trump is changing things and former ‘western’ power centers in Europe and the UK are losing power rapidly.
The takeaway from this summit is President Trump and Chairman Xi, the two biggest apex predators in the world of economics, talking to each other about the importance of staying deconflicted as this geopolitical realignment takes place. The nature of the relationship then becomes important, and that’s exactly the vibe that comes out of this trip.
Next up, Putin!
The noticing of things continues….
[SOURCE]
RUSSIA – “Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in Beijing for a one-day visit on May 20, just days after the conclusion of President Xi Jinping’s landmark summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Sources told the South China Morning Post the visit was part of Moscow’s routine dealings with Beijing, with little expectation that there would be an elaborate parade or welcome.
It will be the first time that China has hosted the leaders of the two powers in the same month outside a multilateral setting, a reflection of Beijing’s efforts to manage ties with both and position itself as a pivotal power amid an increasingly fractured world order. (read more)
No parades.
All business.
More coincidences.
The noticing continues….
President Trump holds an impromptu press conference aboard Air Force One as he returns from Beijing, China and a historic visit with Chinese Chairman Xi Jinping. WATCH:
.
China/Taiwan is a sensitive issue, particularly when we consider the current U.S/Cuba dynamic.
President Trump sits down with Fox News Sean Hannity for an interview immediately following the fast-paced visit in Beijing, China.
Hannity asks President Trump for his sense of the greeting and pageantry put on by Chairman Xi at the formal greeting, as well as some general discussion on the topics of a very lengthy talk between Trump administration officials and their Chinese counterparts.
President Trump and Chairman Xi discussed Iran and the current conflict which has impacted the global supply of oil. ¹{BACKSTORY HERE} It should be noted that closure of the Strait of Hormuz in combination with the U.S. control over Venezuela oil production has reversed the dependency dynamic between Russia and China.
Prior to oil/gas shortages (skyrocketing prices), and due to Western U.S/EU sanctions, Russia was very dependent on China for supplies and component goods. After oil/gas shortages were triggered by the Iran conflict, China became dependent on Russia for their energy demands. A rather unusual dynamic sitting like an 800lb Gorilla in the corner of the meeting between President Trump and Chairman Xi.
¹(1) Upon reelection President Trump told all U.S. energy providers to “drill baby drill” and maximize energy production. Trump then deregulated the industry for maximum efficiency: Secretaries Burgum (Interior), Wright (Energy) and Zeldin (EPA).
(2) Trump then meets with Putin in Alaska Aug 15, 2025. Three days later, Aug 18, 2025, Putin restarts Russia’s flagship Arctic project, the LNG export facility via the Northern Route to Asia.
(3) President Trump then signs contracts with Finland for the urgent start of Arctic icebreaking ship manufacturing in the USA and emphasizes the prior conversation about taking over Greenland which infuriates the Danes and EU.
(4) President Trump then triggers the Venezuela operation, captures Nicholas Maduro and -in addition to other benefits- forms a new strategic oil development relationship with the interim Venezuela government. Russia stays silent.
(5) President Trump then triggers Operation Epic Fury against Iran; completely changing the geopolitical landscape that surrounds energy partnerships. Energy flows through the Gulf of Oman are impacted.
(6) President Trump then removes specific sanctions against Russia permitting Russian oil and LNG to be sold (in petrodollars) into the Asian market. Meanwhile, the European Union is forced to increase LNG purchases from the United States.
Sure, it could all be just coincidence… or not. {GO DEEP} One thing is certain, the FIVE-EYES opposition (Canada, EU, U.K and Australia) do not think all of this downstream benefit that flows to Russia and the USA is coincidental. The FIVE-EYES opposition clearly see all of this as a strategic realignment between the USA and Russia, and they are going to do everything in their power to stop it.
Last point. The next world leader to visit China will be…. wait for it… Vladimir Putin.
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously today that freight brokers can be sued under state negligence laws if they hire unsafe trucking companies (ones with bad safety records) that later cause accidents, crashes or bodily harm. {Ruling pdf Here}
Freight brokers are the middlemen in the transport system matching available loads with available truckers. Freight brokers have notoriously chosen the cheapest truckers and carrier companies to move freight. However, as of this ruling, federal law no longer shields the broker from liability and insurance claims anymore. Victims can now go after the broker’s insurance in addition to the Truck driver’s and/or carrier.
All of those illegal alien truckers who were hired by sketchy carrier companies will now carry a liability risk for the freight broker who might contract the haul. Ultimately, it is the insurance companies who will drive the change by raising insurance rates on those who would contract with sketchy drivers.
VIA AP – WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed a man to sue a major logistics company after he lost part of his leg in a semi tractor-trailer crash, a decision that could have big ripple effects across the trucking industry.
The justices ruled unanimously in favor of Shawn Montgomery, whose parked vehicle was hit by a speeding truck driver on an Illinois highway in 2017. He wants to sue C.H. Robinson, the country’s largest freight broker by size, over its role in putting the driver on the road despite what he called “serious red flags.”
The decision does not mean Montgomery will necessarily win the lawsuit, which the company is contesting. But the ruling opens the door to increased liability for freight brokers, a key part of the industry.
The Trump administration and companies such as Amazon had argued that letting the suit go forward would expose logistics companies to liability under a “patchwork” of state laws.
[…] The company argued the suit, filed under state law, must be tossed out because brokers rely on the federal government to regulate carriers and federal law trumps state law.
But in an opinion by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the Supreme Court disagreed. The justices found Montgomery’s claims can move forward because they fall under an exception for safety regulations. The high court overturned a lower-court ruling in the company’s favor.
The decision could increase insurance costs for freight brokers that eventually “cascade through the economy” and result in higher prices for consumers, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in a concurrence joined by Justice Samuel Alito.
Still, “truck safety is a matter of life and death,” Kavanaugh wrote. (read more)
The bottom line is that safe truck driving practices, operated by safe and well-trained truckers, are in everyone’s best interest. Unfortunately, in the past several years this has become a problem as sketchy truck drivers have been recruited by sketchy carriers. The ruling today returns the issue of liability to each of the participants in the trucking sector.
Everyone on the road should have a reasonable expectation of safe driving practices.
In a remarkable development, CIA Director John Ratcliffe travelled to Cuba on Thursday to meet with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro the grandson of former Cuban President Raúl Castro. Also present at the meeting was Cuban Interior Minister Lazaro Alvarez Casas and the head of Cuba’s intelligence services.
In late April of this year, a few State Department officials visited Havana and held talks with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro about a potential diplomatic deal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also previously spoken directly to Mr. Rodríguez Castro who appears to be acting as somewhat of a bridge between the Cuban government and various Trump administration officials.
VIA CUBAN GOVT Press Release – “Based on the request presented by the U.S. government that a delegation headed by the director of the CIA, John Ratcliffe, be received in Havana, the Directorate of the Revolution approved the realization of this visit and the meeting with its counterpart from the Ministry of the Interior.
The meeting took place on Thursday, May 14, in a context characterized by the complexity of bilateral relations, in order to contribute to the political dialogue between the two nations, as part of the efforts to face the current scenario.
The evidence provided by the Cuban side and the exchanges held with the United States delegation made it possible to demonstrate categorically that Cuba does not constitute a threat to the national security of the United States, nor are there any legitimate reasons for including it in the list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism.
During the meeting, it was possible to verify the consistency and congruence in the historical position of our country with the actions of the Cuban government and its competent authorities, in the confrontation and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
“Once again it was evident that the island does not harbor, support, finance or allow terrorist or extremist organizations; nor are there any military or foreign intelligence bases on its territory, and it has never supported any hostile activity against the United States nor will it allow Cuba to act against another nation.
The interest of both sides in developing bilateral cooperation between law enforcement and enforcement agencies was also evident, based on the security of both nations, regional and international.” (link)
According to CBS News – “CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Havana, Cuba, on Thursday for a rare meeting with senior Cuban officials, an agency official told CBS News, using the visit to deliver a message that the U.S. was prepared to expand economic and security engagement with Cuba if Havana “makes fundamental changes.”
The meeting came as Cuba is contending with a massive power failure to its national energy grid amid U.S. sanctions that have caused an oil and gas shortage crisis to the island nation.
Ratcliffe told Cuban leaders the administration was offering “a genuine opportunity for collaboration” and a chance to stabilize Cuba’s struggling economy, while cautioning that the opportunity would not remain open indefinitely and the administration would enforce “red lines” if necessary, the official said.
The meeting in Havana follows a series of public comments from President Trump that talks with Cuba were imminent. Earlier this week, Mr. Trump said “Cuba is asking for help,” and indicated talks would begin “at the right time.”
Cuban officials publicly confirmed Thursday’s meeting, characterizing it as part of efforts to maintain political dialogue despite what Havana called “complex bilateral relations.” {source}
Chinese Chairman Xi Jinping hosted President Donald J Trump and the delegation of administration officials and leaders of U.S. businesses during a state dinner in Beijing, China.
The full video of the event is below, prompted to 12:37 where President Trump delivered remarks to the Chinese and American attendees.
.
Alternative angle video also included below.
Chinese Chairman Xi Jinping wanted to emphasize history and determination when he took President Donald Trump on a tour of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China. The temple was used by Chinese Emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties where the rulers would pray for abundant harvests, good weather and good fortune for the people of China. Apparently, Chairman Xi wanted to send a message that rulers of China follow a mandate that is in alignment with spiritual divinity.
It is a rather ironic view of stewardship considering that religion is subject to strict government regulation in communist China. The Chinese government officially recognizes five religions: Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism, and Daoism; however, the practice of each religion must follow communist rules and be in alignment with all CCP dictates. Within China, this is known as “sinicization,” a requirement that all religious groups must adapt their beliefs and practices to align with Chinese culture and the Communist Party’s ideology.
The Temple of Heaven is near Tiananmen Square, and the most famous temple in Beijing. Originally built along with the Forbidden City in the early 1400s the temple is also near the royal palace that President Trump and Chairman Xi toured with their spouses in 2017. Video Below:
.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio eloquently takes some geopolitical complexities and puts them into understandable terms. During an interview aboard Airforce One en route to Beijing, Fox News pundit Sean Hannity asks some regional questions about high profile events.
Secretary Rubio accurately puts the perspective of Chinese interests into the context of current friction points between the USA and Iran. WATCH:
.
I have created this site to help people have fun in the kitchen. I write about enjoying life both in and out of my kitchen. Life is short! Make the most of it and enjoy!
De Oppresso Liber
A group of Americans united by our commitment to Freedom, Constitutional Governance, and Civic Duty.
Share the truth at whatever cost.
De Oppresso Liber
Uncensored updates on world events, economics, the environment and medicine
De Oppresso Liber
This is a library of News Events not reported by the Main Stream Media documenting & connecting the dots on How the Obama Marxist Liberal agenda is destroying America
Australia's Front Line | Since 2011
See what War is like and how it affects our Warriors
Nwo News, End Time, Deep State, World News, No Fake News
De Oppresso Liber
Politics | Talk | Opinion - Contact Info: stellasplace@wowway.com
Exposition and Encouragement
The Physician Wellness Movement and Illegitimate Authority: The Need for Revolt and Reconstruction
Real Estate Lending
Centinel2012 