Last updated on December 25, 2025
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump called China’s largest-ever military parade both “beautiful” and “impressive”, before dismissing it as a spectacle carefully staged to catch his eye.
“I thought it was a beautiful ceremony. I thought it was very, very impressive,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “But I understood the reason they were doing it. And they were hoping I was watching. I was watching.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the massive show of force at Tiananmen Square, joined by Russian premier Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The event marked the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II, featuring goose-stepping troops, advanced missile systems, and a guest list of 26 foreign heads of state before a crowd of 50,000 spectators.
A friend, but no mention of America
Xi thanked “foreign governments and international friends” for supporting China during the war but made no reference to the United States. That omission did not go unnoticed by Trump.
“Xi is a friend, but I was surprised the US wasn’t mentioned,” Trump said. “We helped China greatly to gain its freedom and deserved credit.”
The remark reflected Trump’s repeated grievance that Beijing is downplaying America’s decisive role in the Allied victory over Japan.
From conspiracy jabs to warm regards
Hours before his Oval Office comments, Trump had fired off a sharper rebuke on Truth Social, writing:
“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America.”
Yet his tone shifted quickly at the White House, where he played up his personal ties.
“My relationship with all of them is very good,” Trump said. “We are going to find out how good it is over the next week or two.”
When asked about being left off Beijing’s invitation list, Trump brushed it aside.
“Never even thought about it until just now. Never even thought. I wouldn’t, it wouldn’t have been my place to be there,” he said.
Geopolitics in parade formation
Beyond the theatrics, the parade was a carefully choreographed message of China’s growing military reach and expanding global influence, underlined by the presence of Moscow and Pyongyang.
It comes as US-China relations remain strained — from tariff threats to geopolitical rivalry — even as Trump continues to highlight his personal rapport with Xi and hinted at a possible meeting soon.
