In the past four years, Donald Trump's "America First" presidency has challenged the post-war spirit of cooperation more aggressively than any leader before him. But the global instruments Trump deserted haven't crumbled, nor is the world crashing and burning with its long-time leader in the back seat. Macron too tried to pitch himself as the next leader of the free world in the earlier days of Trump's presidency. Lucas said that the Trump presidency hasn't really been the turning point in this shift. But Xi does have a genuine appetite to be welcomed as a world leader, a role that will require him to conform somewhat to the rules-based order.

Source: CNN November 01, 2020 04:52 UTC