Athens to Washington: What is the ‘Thucydides Trap’ Chinese President Xi keeps invoking

 During discussions with US leaders, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the concept of the Thucydides Trap, advocating for peaceful coexistence between the two nations. His repeated calls for mutual respect convey Beijing’s desire to evade conflict with the US. Historical instances suggest that shifts in power do not inevitably lead to war. However, analysts remain split over the implications of the Thucydides Trap in the current US-China dynamic. During discussions with US leaders, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the concept of the Thucydides Trap, advocating for peaceful coexistence between the two nations. His repeated calls for mutual respect convey Beijing’s desire to evade conflict with the US. Historical instances suggest that shifts in power do not inevitably lead to war. However, analysts remain split over the implications of the Thucydides Trap in the current US-China dynamic.