[Originally a Bluesky thread.]

Xi Jinping’s single most interesting diplomatic interaction caught on video was with Justin Trudeau at the G20 in 2022. It provides a unique glimpse of Xi’s approach and style in a challenging situation. This was not a favorable setting for Xi and he didn’t want to actually engage, he just wanted to deliver a rebuke.

Trudeau is infinitely more practiced in a dynamic situation in front of cameras, and this was a multilateral forum where the two are on more even political and protocol ground than they usually would be. His instinct when challenged was to respond assertively and repeatedly advance into Xi’s personal space while addressing Xi directly.

Xi wanted to project dismissiveness toward a less important leader who had acted inappropriately (in Xi’s view), and Xi didn’t want to get drawn into an interaction in this unfavorable setting. Xi doesn’t look at Trudeau when Trudeau is talking (probably partly to avoid looking up at someone who is openly refuting him) and only looks back at Trudeau when talking at him and having the last word.