Trump’s Late-Night Posts Signal Weakness With China

Donald Trump’s recent activity on his Truth Social platform is raising concerns that his negotiating strategy with China is faltering, according to an analysis by MSNBC’s Zeshann Aleem. A series of late-night posts, including one at 2 AM complaining about the difficulty of trade negotiations with China, are being interpreted as a sign of weakness that Beijing is likely to exploit.

Trump expressed personal regard for Chinese President Xi Jinping, but simultaneously highlighted the challenges in reaching an agreement, writing, “I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!”

Aleem argues this “emotional” outburst reveals Trump is aware he’s in a weakening position and is subtly preparing his base for a potentially unfavorable outcome. The core of the negotiations centers on de-escalating a damaging tariff dispute that threatens both the U.S. and Chinese economies. However, a key principle of successful negotiation is maintaining a neutral demeanor – a “poker face” – to avoid signaling desperation or willingness to concede.

Trump’s public venting, according to the analyst, undermines this principle. It allows China to assess his state of mind and potentially reduces their incentive to offer substantial concessions. By appearing preemptively willing to accept a less-than-ideal deal, Trump risks further weakening his negotiating position. Aleem suggests this “compulsive” late-night admission isn’t simply a matter of venting frustration, but a strategic misstep that hands an advantage to Beijing. The analyst believes China will undoubtedly factor Trump’s publicly expressed anxieties into their own calculations at the negotiating table, potentially leading to a less favorable outcome for the United States.