Beijing — China staged a sweeping military parade this week to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a show of strength that reverberated far beyond Tiananmen Square and sharpened questions about the wisdom of Donald Trump’s trade confrontations.
Rows of intercontinental missiles, new stealth aircraft, and thousands of soldiers marched in precise formations as President Xi Jinping presided over a spectacle intended to underscore China’s growing global stature. The symbolism was deliberate: Beijing wanted to remind Washington and its allies that China’s ambitions now extend well beyond the economic arena.
For Trump, who has leaned heavily on tariffs and punitive trade measures to exert pressure on China, the images were a jarring backdrop. Only days earlier, he insisted the United States was “winning” the economic contest. Yet in Beijing, the message appeared inverted — that China could withstand the costs of confrontation while cementing strategic alliances.
In Washington, Trump’s reaction reflected the contradictions of his foreign policy style. He first brushed aside the display in a radio interview, suggesting there was “nothing to worry about.” Hours later, in a post on his Truth Social account, he accused China of failing to honor America’s role in World War II, while adding a barbed greeting to Russian president Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, both of whom attended the parade.
The uneven response exposed the strain in Trump’s strategy. His tariffs, hailed by supporters as a defense of American industry, have produced limited concessions while drawing lawsuits and retaliatory measures. Earlier this month, a federal appeals court ruled that parts of the tariff framework exceeded presidential authority, raising the prospect of a broader legal challenge.
Meanwhile, China has moved to close ranks with other powers alienated by Washington’s policies. Xi’s meetings with Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recent weeks highlight Beijing’s bid to present itself as a central actor in a multipolar order.
What unfolded in Tiananmen Square was more than a national celebration. It was a reminder that Trump’s “America First” doctrine carries risks that cannot be answered with tariffs alone. The parade suggested that Washington’s reliance on economic punishment may leave it isolated, as rivals build new partnerships under the banner of resilience.
According to the BBC, the Beijing spectacle has already deepened debate in policy circles over whether the United States has traded long-term strategic influence for short-term political theater.
