WSJ: Who Is Stronger—Xi Or Trump?

The U.S. president will soon have a chance to show resolve.

U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House and promises to raise the issue of the release of Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai once again. However, as columnist William McGurn writes for The Wall Street Journal, it is precisely this episode that may reveal how strong Trump’s position is in relations with Beijing.

Back during the 2024 election campaign, Trump promised to secure Lai’s release, stating that doing so would be “very easy.” However, nearly two years later, Lai remains in a Hong Kong prison. In February 2026, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison on national security charges.

McGurn points out the contrast between Trump’s public statements about “good relations” with Xi and the lack of progress in Lai’s case. Beijing is capable of making symbolic concessions when it suits its interests, but in Lai’s case, that has not happened yet.

“If Jimmy Lai was in prison because China did not respect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, then doesn’t the fact that he’s still behind bars mean that China doesn’t respect Trump either?” McGurn asks.

Lai may be more important to Beijing precisely because he is in prison. The former owner of the Apple Daily newspaper openly advocated for press freedom and democratic rights in Hong Kong. In September, his family once again called on Xi to release Lai ahead of his meeting with Trump.

Trump has an opportunity to show resolve and demand Lai’s release directly. “Chairman Xi, demonstrate China’s greatness and release Jimmy Lai,” Trump could have said.

For Trump, the Jimmy Lai case will be a test of whether he can force Beijing to make concessions.

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