Embracing Xi, Inflaming Populism

John Q. Public can hardly be blamed for joining the chorus of suspicion and resentment when he sees numerous business leaders greet Xi Jinping in San Francisco.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrives for a meeting of economic leaders on the last day of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco on Nov. 17, 2023. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

One of the most dangerous aspects of the populism that has emerged in the past decade among betrayed Republican-leaning voters and others is the way it tempts them to distrust the free market and buy the Marxist delusion that capitalism is greed in action.