The US is going out of its way to flatter China before the Trump–Xi meeting, a sign of weakness for Washington and leverage for Beijing.

• Trump will greet Xi on the tarmac with a B-2 and F-22 flyover and a first ladies' meeting — none of which China offered Trump in Beijing.
• China believes it won the trade fight, because its grip on rare earth minerals can shut down key US industries.
• The headline item is now AI: both sides are close to a direct emergency hotline, modeled on the military line set up after the Cuban missile crisis.
• Beijing's top ask is permission to build and sell Chinese cars in the US, which Detroit is fighting hard.
• Xi arrives after purging two of his most senior military commanders for corruption, a show of total control at home.

Outlook: Expect warm optics and small steps on AI and trade rather than a real breakthrough, with Chinese cars the fight to watch.