Why Trump Can't Call Out China Publicly

Melissa Chen explains why President Trump speaks respectfully about Xi Jinping even as he fights China's influence behind the scenes. China operates as an honor culture where publicly disrespecting its leadership triggers retaliation. With China controlling 90% of the world's critical minerals and trade negotiations still unresolved, Trump must walk a strategic tightrope: keeping China at the table while quietly dismantling its leverage over the United States.