President Donald Trump enters a decisive summer facing simultaneous pressures from the judicial branch, international trade partners, and a restive domestic electorate.
However, this private civility contrasts with a president who has repeatedly used public platforms to insult the very justices he expects to uphold his executive orders.
Wu Xinbo of Fudan University observed that Trump now faces a China that is significantly more powerful and determined than during his first visit in 2017, suggesting the "learning curve" for this administration has been steep.
This creates a volatility that market participants and foreign leaders are now forced to price into their long-term strategies.
Wu Xinbo of Fudan University noted in The Wire China that China is now more determined in defending its national interests than it was during Trump's first term.
President Trump navigates a complex political landscape defined by Supreme Court tension, a shaky China summit, and record-high gas prices.