During the campaign, candidate Trump constantly accused China of ‘ripping us like you’ve never seen’ and warned ‘we can’t continue to allow China to rape our country.'” In Beijing this week, President Trump used a decidedly different tone: “I don’t blame China. After all, who can blame a country for taking advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens?”

+ The Atlantic sees a pattern (and thinks foreign leaders see it too): Trump Insults People From Afar, Then Praises Them in Person.

+ NYT: Why Xi Jinping’s (Airbrushed) Face Is Plastered All Over China.