Why This Trump–Xi Meeting Is More Dangerous Than It Looks | With Ian Bremmer
Why This Trump–Xi Meeting Is More Dangerous Than It Looks | With Ian Bremmer  
Podcast: History Uncensored
Published On: Wed Sep 23 2026
Description: On September 24, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, the leaders of two global rivals will meet at the White House. But to understand why this meeting matters, we have to go back to 1985, when Ronald Reagan welcomed China’s leader Li Xiannian to Washington. Back then, the balance of power looked completely different. 41 years later, Trump and Xi meet in a world of trade wars, Taiwan tensions, AI competition and global conflict. Bianca Nobilo is joined by American political scientist Ian Arthur Bremmer to take a look at the history of the world’s biggest superpowers. (00:00:14) Trump and Xi - leaders and legacy (00:00:51) How China became a U.S. rival (00:03:34) How the past shapes these leaders - with Ian Bremmer (00:05:54) How leaders use and control history (00:11:05) Term limits v decades (00:15:38) Taiwan - how important is this moment? (00:19:04) The Thucydides Trap (00:23:16) AI, Cuban Missile Crisis, and mutually assured destruction (00:27:30) This moment in the broad sweep of history (00:29:34) Bianca's goal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices