US-CHINA BEIJING SUMMIT

Fair trade is measured by one thing only.

The numbers.

The United States Census Bureau's own data shows America has run a consistent trade deficit with China every single year since 1985. Starting at $6 billion. Growing to $382 billion. Forty consecutive years of imbalance.

No banquet speech changes that number. No toast changes that number. No signed framework changes that number.

Only actual verified measurable trade flows change that number.

What I believe — and this is my perspective — is that for the first time we may be seeing an administration that is beginning to look at the US China relationship the way a corporation looks at its balance sheet.

Not as a political performance. Not as a popularity contest. Not as a historic moment designed for the next news cycle.

But as an actual ledger.

AIR DATE: 5-16-26