Former U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed concerns that China’s massive military parade in Beijing poses a threat to American power, insisting that the U.S. maintains overwhelming military superiority.
When asked whether the event — attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping alongside Russian leader Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un — represented a challenge to Washington, Trump brushed off the idea.
“No, I don’t see that at all,” Trump told reporters from the Oval Office on Wednesday. “I have a very good relationship with President Xi, as you know. But China needs us much more than we need them.”
Trump went further in a separate radio interview with conservative commentator Scott Jennings, expressing confidence that Beijing would not target the United States in the future.
“We have the strongest military in the world, by far,” he said. “They would never use their military on us — believe me, that would be the worst thing they could ever do.”
The parade in Beijing, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II, is set to showcase advanced hypersonic weapons, combat drones, and other defense technology along Chang’an Avenue. The tightly choreographed display underscores China’s efforts to project military strength at a time of rising geopolitical tensions.
Xi’s event has drawn dozens of foreign leaders, including from Vietnam, Malaysia, Pakistan, Belarus, Iran, Serbia, and Slovakia. Both Putin and Kim’s presence highlights Beijing’s growing alignment with Moscow and Pyongyang, following the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit that also brought Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China.
The show of military might comes amid heightened rivalry between Washington and Beijing over trade, technology, and regional security — though Trump’s remarks suggest he sees little immediate threat from China’s parade.
