Wed Apr 16 12:12:54 UTC 2025: ## Xi Courts South Asia Amid Escalating US Trade War
**NEW DELHI** – Amidst a worsening trade war with the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping is embarking on a South Asian tour, positioning China as a more dependable trading partner. The trip comes as Beijing recently blocked the delivery of a substantial order of Boeing aircraft, a move interpreted as retaliation for escalating US tariffs. Xi’s efforts appear aimed at securing regional alliances and diversifying China’s trade relationships in the face of increasing economic pressure from Washington. The specific details of Xi’s engagements remain to be seen, but the timing strongly suggests an attempt to mitigate the impact of the US trade war on the Chinese economy.
First Piper 