Gordon Chang warns that Xi Jinping is preparing Chinese society and armed forces "for battle," calling the current period "very dangerous" for the United States. His comments come ahead of a Washington summit between Xi and President Trump, where artificial intelligence and trade are expected to be central topics. The warning was amplified by reporting that Chinese imagery may have aided an Iranian strike in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members, prompting calls for a tougher U.S. stance. Analysts say the summit will be closely watched for whether diplomacy can reduce tensions or if accusations will harden policy.
Xi 'Preparing for Battle,' Analyst Warns — Washington Summit Shadowed by Security Concerns
Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, May 14, 2026.
As President Donald Trump prepares to host Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, a prominent commentator has warned that relations between the United States and China may be entering a dangerous phase. Gatestone Institute senior fellow Gordon Chang told Fox News that Xi is both publicly and privately preparing Chinese society and the armed forces "for battle," even as U.S. officials describe the relationship in more conciliatory terms.
Chang's Warning
Speaking on Fox News Live, Chang said the rhetoric and mobilization he sees from Beijing indicate a heightened risk for the United States. He argued there is a moral dimension to recent developments, claiming that Chinese-provided data may have contributed to attacks that killed American service members.
"Xi Jinping keeps on talking about going to war against us… and also he's preparing China's society, civilian and military, for battle. And we think we're at peace," Chang said. "So, this is a very dangerous period for us."
Allegations of Chinese Imagery for Iran
The comments followed reports in The Wall Street Journal that Chinese entities may have provided satellite imagery to Iran that helped target an airbase in Jordan, in an attack that reportedly killed three U.S. service members earlier this summer. The allegation is serious and has intensified calls among some analysts for a tougher U.S. policy toward Beijing.
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026, in Beijing, China.
Summit Agenda and Broader Context
Mr. Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet in Washington roughly four months after their May encounter. Officials expect artificial intelligence and trade to dominate talks, but security concerns and regional instability — including the Middle East conflict — are elevating the stakes of the meeting.
Analysts' Take
Chang suggested that domestic pressure within the Chinese Communist Party and Xi's belief in China's relative rise make concessions unlikely. Other analysts caution that while accusations and rhetoric are escalating, concrete evidence and official investigations are needed to substantiate claims about state-directed targeting assistance.
Why This Matters: The summit will test whether diplomatic engagement can manage tensions over technology, trade and security, or whether allegations of hostile activity will harden U.S. policy toward China.
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