At Andrews Air Force Base on a Wednesday evening in late September 2026, the leaders of the world's two largest economies met face to face — a moment that carries the weight of decades of rivalry, interdependence, and unresolved tension. President Trump's decision to receive Xi Jinping at a venue reserved for diplomacy of consequence signals an intention, however uncertain in its outcome, to reopen a channel that has long been narrowed by trade disputes, technological competition, and geopolitical friction. Whether this summit marks a genuine turning point or a carefully staged pause in a deep