Trump's the apprentice now

FOR years, Donald Trump has sold himself as the world’s toughest leader. The man who would stare down China. Humble Xi Jinping. Crush Beijing with tariffs and bring the Communist Party to heel through sheer force of orange-tinted willpower.

- CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN

LEADING THE WAY: Trump and Xi

The same Trump spent years ranting about the “China Virus’, accusing Beijing of stealing American jobs, factories, and apparently civilisation itself.

Then he arrived in Beijing and, within hours, was looking less feared global strongman, more hotel doorman.

The humiliation started on touchdown. Xi did not even bother to greet him personally. Instead, Trump was met by rows of smiling schoolgirls waving flags while China's president remained elsewhere.

For a man obsessed with image and dominance, it was the diplomatic equivalent of being told: “Mr Xi will see you shortly.”

And somehow it got worse from there. When the two men did appear together, Trump behaved like somebody who had paid extra for the special VIP meet-and-greet package.