The Spark: Beijing’s Military Parade
On September 3, 2025, Beijing staged one of the most powerful displays of military strength in its modern history. The occasion was the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender, marked by a colossal military parade at Tiananmen Square.
Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the event, joined by two high-profile guests: Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Their presence was symbolic, underlining the growing closeness among countries often positioned as counterweights to Western influence.
The spectacle included intercontinental ballistic missiles, drones, stealth aircraft, and hypersonic weapons—a show of technological might that analysts described as both a celebration of history and a projection of future power.
As Financial Times reported, the joint optics of Xi, Putin, and Kim sitting together in Beijing inevitably fueled global debate about an emerging “axis of autocracies.”
Trump’s Accusation
As the images of Xi, Putin, and Kim at Tiananmen Square spread worldwide, U.S. President Donald Trump posted a sharp message on Truth Social:
“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”
Trump’s comment, laced with sarcasm, quickly went viral. While some observers dismissed it as rhetorical posturing, others warned it highlighted genuine concerns about growing cooperation between China, Russia, and North Korea.
Later that day, Trump appeared to soften his tone, calling the parade “very impressive” and emphasizing that he maintained “very good” personal relations with all three leaders. Still, his initial remark set off a global wave of reactions, with analysts split on whether it was simply political theater or a strategic warning.
China’s Response: Denial of Hostility
Beijing moved quickly to dismiss Trump’s accusations.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said:
“China’s development of diplomatic ties with other nations is never aimed against any third party. We reject the notion that friendship and cooperation equal conspiracy.”
According to Hindustan Times, China stressed that the parade was a commemorative event, not a geopolitical maneuver. However, the optics—Xi standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Putin and Kim—told a more complex story.
Russia’s Position: Brushing Off the Claim
In Moscow, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov framed Trump’s comment as sarcastic banter.
“Of course, no conspiracy exists,” Ushakov told Russian media. “The leaders attended as guests of honor. Nothing more should be read into this.”
Still, Russia has expanded military and economic ties with both China and North Korea in recent years, from energy cooperation to arms deals. As Reuters notes, these ties have intensified under Western sanctions, driving Moscow to lean heavily on Beijing and Pyongyang.
North Korea: Silence but Symbolism
North Korea offered no official response to Trump’s remarks. Yet Kim Jong Un’s attendance at the Beijing parade carried its own weight.
For decades, North Korea has relied on China for economic support and on Russia for diplomatic cover. In recent years, these ties have deepened, especially as Pyongyang expanded its nuclear weapons program.
While Pyongyang may not have “conspired” in any formal sense, its alignment with Xi and Putin sends a clear signal of solidarity against Washington’s strategic pressure.
The Bigger Picture: An “Axis of Autocracies”?
Trump’s accusation may have been laced with sarcasm, but it tapped into a serious geopolitical trend: the increasing cooperation among authoritarian powers.
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China has grown bolder in the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and global economic diplomacy.
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Russia remains entrenched in Ukraine and dependent on Beijing’s markets.
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North Korea continues to defy international sanctions with nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches.
As The Daily Beast highlighted, Trump’s choice of words may have been hyperbolic, but the strategic convergence of these three states is undeniable.
Trump’s Political Calculus
Critics argue Trump’s post was less about geopolitics and more about domestic political theater. By casting Xi, Putin, and Kim as plotting against America, he:
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Reinforced his nationalist base by depicting the U.S. as under siege.
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Shifted focus from domestic challenges by highlighting external threats.
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Reasserted his “tough on rivals” stance, a hallmark of his political brand.
At the same time, Trump’s “very good relationships” comment shows his trademark balancing act: criticizing rivals while keeping open personal channels. This dual approach has long been central to his diplomacy.
Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy
Even if Trump’s words were rhetorical, they highlight three pressing realities for U.S. strategy:
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A stronger Beijing-Moscow-Pyongyang alignment: Whether by necessity (sanctions) or strategy, these nations are finding common cause.
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Pressure on Europe: Trump has repeatedly demanded European leaders reduce energy imports from Russia and resist deepening trade ties with China (Reuters).
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Indo-Pacific priorities: The U.S. will likely double down on alliances with Japan, South Korea, and Australia to counterbalance regional threats.
Historical Parallels
The gathering of Xi, Putin, and Kim inevitably evokes Cold War imagery. Analysts warn of a new multi-polar rivalry:
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Instead of rigid blocs (NATO vs Warsaw Pact), today’s alignments are fluid and transactional.
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Cooperation among China, Russia, and North Korea is driven less by ideology than by shared opposition to Western dominance.
As Wikipedia notes, some experts describe this loose coalition as “CRINK” (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea). While far from a formal alliance, its existence signals a potential counterweight to the U.S.-led order.
Global Reactions
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European Union officials downplayed Trump’s comments but acknowledged concerns about “authoritarian cooperation.”
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Japan and South Korea expressed unease at the trio’s unity in Beijing, viewing it as a reminder of regional threats.
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NATO officials stressed the importance of collective defense, echoing the need to prepare for challenges from both Moscow and Beijing.
Conclusion: Rhetoric Meets Reality
Donald Trump’s claim that Xi, Putin, and Kim are “conspiring against the U.S.” may have been sarcastic, but it reflects a real undercurrent in today’s geopolitics.
Whether or not these leaders plotted anything concrete, the image of them together in Beijing sends a message: the world is witnessing a shift toward authoritarian solidarity in defiance of Western pressure.
For Washington and its allies, the challenge lies not in parsing Trump’s rhetoric but in preparing for the geopolitical realignment it underscores.
As the parade fades into history, the question remains: was Trump exaggerating, or was he sounding the alarm on a new world order?
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