Beijing Invokes ‘Make America Great Again’ in Rare Bid to Ease US Tensions

Chinese state media has adopted a softer tone toward Washington, but experts argue the underlying rivalry between the two powers remains unchanged.

An airline passenger, traveling from from Chongqing to Shenzhen, reads a newspaper article titled "China's Position on Several Issues Concerning China-U.S. Economic and Trade Relations," part of a white paper released by China's State Council Information Office on April 9, 2025. Cheng Xin/Getty Images

From Dec. 26 to 29, Chinese state media published a rare series of editorials striking a conciliatory tone toward the United States, repeatedly suggesting that China’s development and President Donald Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again” are not mutually exclusive.

The four articles, released in quick succession by the CCP mouthpiece “People’s Daily,” emphasized dialogue, cooperation, and mutual prosperity—a notable departure from the confrontational rhetoric that has dominated Chinese Communist Party (CCP) messaging in recent years.