Finally, on the ideological front, the US and China need to come to terms with their differences so that they can co-exist peacefully.
In this respect, Mr Trump has a better chance of succeeding than his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden who foolishly framed it as a battle between democracy and autocracy.
It was a reckless move because it directly challenged the legitimacy of the Chinese regime.
With Mr Trump, who is more transactional and less interested in the other side’s values (as long as they pay their dues), there is a greater chance of the two countries improving their relationship without their ideologies getting in the way.
Which brings me to my final point about the two leaders.
Both are at the height of their political power in their own countries with Mr Trump directing America’s China policy (even if at times there does not appear to be a coherent one) and Mr Xi personally focused on US-China issues which he knows has to be managed for the long term.
Strong leaders are better able to resolve the long-term issues I highlighted above because they require decisive action and forthright leadership.
Both men are in a unique position to do this, provided they are not distracted by relatively unimportant issues that soak up much time and resources.
They should get over the trade and tariff negotiations – with or without a deal – and focus on what really matters.
The fate of the world depends on it.
Han Fook Kwang was a veteran newspaper editor and is a senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University.
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