2 faced Trump in 3 faced China

This week in Beijing, President Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping stressed good relations, insisting they want to work together…

"I look forward to many years of success and friendship, working together to solve not only our problems but world problems, and problems of great danger and security," Trump told Xi during meetings Thursday in the Chinese capital.

Trump himself said the current trade relationship is "a very unfair and one-sided one" that winds up stealing jobs from Americans.

Yet there is no evidence that China will open up its markets in a substantial way or refrain from what Americans call cyber espionage and intellectual property theft from U.S. companies.

Then there's the nature of the modern Chinese government.

Xi Jinping has consolidated his power over the Chinese government in ways not seen since the days of Chairman Mao.

The U.S.-China relationship is a complex one, and has to be managed carefully – and the current American president prides himself on being a maverick.

Trump sang the praises of Xi and China during his visit to Beijing, but in the past he has criticized them over trade. During his presidential campaign, Trump said Chinese trade policies "rape our country."

China, meanwhile, has criticized Trump for bellicose comments…

"Trump's style is erratic," "…his style is not exactly what you would choose for complex international bargaining."