Trump Expresses Regret Over Xi JinpingS Omission of U.S. in Military Parade Speech
Former U.S. President Donald Trump voiced his disappointment that Chinese President Xi Jinping did not acknowledge the United States’ role in World War II during a recent military parade in China commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of the conflict. The omission comes amid already strained relations between the two nations over security and trade disputes.
Xi Jinping’s speech focused on China’s wartime struggles and sacrifices, thanking “foreign governments and international friends” who supported the Chinese people, but notably failed to mention the significant contribution of the United states in aiding Chinese troops against Japan and ultimately contributing to Japan’s defeat in 1945. This oversight occurred as U.S.-China relations are at a tense juncture, marked by disagreements over issues including Ukraine, the South China Sea, and trade agreements.
Trump, who has consistently praised his personal relationship with Xi, stated he would soon meet with the Chinese president. In a post on his social media platform during the parade, Trump extended greetings to both Xi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accusing them of conspiring against the united States-a claim the Kremlin dismissed as ironic.
The historical context of the Second Sino-Japanese War, which escalated into a major theater of World War II with Japan’s invasion of China in 1937, underscores the significance of the U.S. involvement. The U.S. entry into the war in 1941 provided crucial support to China and played a pivotal role in the Allied victory. Xi Jinping framed World War II as a turning point in the “Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese” under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party.