On September 3, 2025, Beijing staged an extraordinary military parade at Tiananmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s WWII surrender. President Xi Jinping, standing beside Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong‑un, oversaw a grand display of military might, including advanced weaponry aimed at projecting strength during rising geopolitical tensions.
Trump’s Reaction
From the Oval Office, President Donald Trump praised the event as “beautiful” and “very, very impressive”—yet voiced frustration that the United States, a key ally during WWII, was not specifically acknowledged in Xi’s remarks. “I thought that the United States should have been mentioned… because we helped China very, very much,” he stated.
Moreover, Trump took to Truth Social with a sarcastic post that read, “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America.” The Kremlin dismissed these remarks as ironic.
These comments reflect not only historical grievances but also ongoing friction in U.S.–China relations, particularly around trade and security concerns.
Political Undercurrents
Xi used the WWII commemoration not only to celebrate military history, but also to reinforce a narrative of national rejuvenation led by the Chinese Communist Party. The parade conveyed a clear message of strength and unity among non-Western powers.
Trump’s pointed remarks suggest anxiety over this symbolism—and his own exclusion from it—amidst efforts to renegotiate the U.S.–China dynamic. His assertion of personal rapport with Xi, despite tensions, reveals how deeply personal and performative his brand of diplomacy continues to be.
Broader Significance
The omission points to a broader trend: China’s emphasis on narrating history through its own prism, emphasizing struggles against both Japanese imperialism and Western “bullying.” U.S. contributions—economic, material, and human—though substantial, risk being overshadowed by this broader narrative of sovereignty and strategic strength.
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