# Pence criticises Trump’s softer China stance ahead of Xi meeting

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/mike-pence-knifes-trump-for-not-drawing-a-harder-line-on-china-ahead-of-xi-and-putin-meeting-this-week/
- Published: 2026-11-15T18:02:37+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T18:17:46+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16294451/Pence-knives-Trump-China-Xi-Putin-meeting.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Americas, Asia, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Pence says Trump’s China policy has become too soft.
- He cites TikTok, Taiwan arms sales and Nvidia chips.
- Trump is due to meet Xi and Putin at the APEC summit.

## Summary

Former Vice-President Mike Pence criticised the current Trump administration for what he sees as a softer approach to China, saying he is “shocked” by its cooperation with major US rivals. His remarks matter because they question whether the administration’s policies protect US security and technological advantage, shortly before Donald Trump is due to meet China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

Pence contrasted the first Trump administration’s $250 billion in tariffs, regional military build-up and condemnation of the persecution of Uyghurs with decisions to let TikTok continue operating, delay weapons sales to Taiwan and ease export controls on advanced Nvidia chips. He said China had spent decades stealing US intellectual property and urged the administration to explain its approach, particularly as the US competes in artificial intelligence. The article says the three leaders are expected to meet on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.