One Moment, Two Speeches

Blog Post by Ryan Featherston and Scott Kennedy

Published March 12, 2025

Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics > Trustee China Hand

Last week the world’s two most powerful countries witnessed a rare moment of symmetry. On March 4^th at 9:00 pm US EST, President Donald Trump strode into the Capitol to give his second administration’s first address to a joint session of Congress. Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet, at 9:00 am Beijing time, Chinese Premier Li Qiang was just finishing up his speech summarizing the annual Government Work Report(GWR) to the National People’s Congress. Both are two countries’ key national annual addresses in which the executive reports on the state of the country to the legislative branch. This side-by-side moment highlights not only major differences in the political systems and political theater, but also some surprising similarities in substance as well.

The Stages and the Performance

The two events could not have differed more in form. President Trump’s address reflected an increasingly partisan political environment in the United States, complete with jeers from Democratic members of Congress and his own triumphant jabs at his opponents. The President framed his ascension as a no-confidence vote for his predecessor and sign that fundamental changes were needed with regard to the basic functions of government as well as social policy, economic governance, and foreign policy. By contrast, Premier Li’s speech was a part of the highly choreographed Two Sessions, named as such because of the simultaneous holding of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). His words were sculpted by Party apparatchiks, with him speaking on behalf of China’s Communist Party (CCP) leadership and Party Secretary and President Xi Jinping. The speech and the GWR it introduced were meant to convey unity, success, and continuity. The roughly 3,000 members of the NPC and other guests politely applauded on cue, but otherwise had no other role. Surprisingly, President Trump’s speech was significantly longer, clocking at over 100 minutes, while Premier Li finished up in only 54 minutes.

One other political similarity is that both events featured a single leader at the pinnacle of their power. President Trump is more dominant in American politics than he’s ever been. And so, too, is Xi Jinping in China. Premier Li’s speech and news reports repeatedly focused on Xi’s centrality to the direction of the CCP and the country as a whole.

The Substance

In terms of actual content of what President Trump and Premier Li had to say, there was an interesting mix of differences and similarities (see Figure 1).

Although both emphasized a tumultuous world, the describe their countries’ respective roles in very different terms, with Trump and the U.S. sounding like the revisionist power and Beijing the defender of the status quo. Trump decried the global order, and criticized by name traditional American allies (such as Canada and Mexico) and China, on a range of issues, including international trade and fentanyl. And on international assistance, Trump announced a freeze on foreign aid, and listed projects he considered wasteful. Premier Li, on the other hand, attempted to portray China as an ardent defender of the international system. As usual, The GWR reaffirmed China’s commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative, its international development program. Trump also appeared skeptical of the nascent embrace of industrial policy in the United States, calling for the repeal of the CHIPS and Science Act and suggesting that deregulation was the way forward. The GWR, on the other hand, showed China’s commitment to “indigenous innovation” and industrial upgrading driven by state policy.

The number of similarities were surprisingly plentiful. On economic policy, both stressed the need to boost growth, with President Trump advocating extending income tax cuts and Premier Li indicating that China would have a more expansionary monetary and fiscal policies. Both highlighted the role of manufacturing, with President Trump pledging to revitalize American industry though tariffs and attracting inbound investment, and Premier Li lauding China’s achievements in advanced manufacturing. Both the U.S. and China are focused on achieving technological leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) and other industries.

Similarities
Trump	Li
One Leader
“Six weeks ago, I stood beneath the dome of this Capitol and proclaimed the dawn of the Golden Age of America. From that moment on, it has been nothing but swift and unrelenting action to usher in the greatest and most successful era in the history of our country.”	“We owe our achievements in 2024 to General Secretary Xi Jinping, who is at the helm charting the course, and to the sound guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.”
Technology Innovation
“OpenAI and Oracle, Larry Ellison, announced $500 billion investment, which they wouldn’t have done if Kamala had won.”	“We will establish a mechanism to increase funding for industries of the future and foster industries such as biomanufacturing, quantum technology, embodied AI, and 6G technology.”
Manufacturing
“And just yesterday, Taiwan Semiconductor, the biggest in the world’s most powerful in the world…announced a $165 billion investment to build the most powerful chips on Earth right here in the U.S.A. And we’re not giving them any money.”	“We should pursue integrated advancements in technological and industrial innovation, press ahead with new industrialization, expand and strengthen advanced manufacturing, and vigorously develop modern services.”
A Changing World
“We’ve been ripped off for decades by nearly every country on Earth, and we will not let that happen any longer.”	“Internationally, changes unseen in a century are unfolding across the world at a faster pace.”
Differences
Trump	Li
Trade
“And if you don’t make your product in America, however, under the Trump administration, you will pay a tariff and in some cases a rather large one."	“We will remain firm in pursuing a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up, oppose hegemonism and power politics, oppose unilateralism and protectionism in all forms, and uphold international fairness and justice.”
Foreign Aid
“Upon taking office, I imposed an immediate freeze on all federal hiring, a freeze on all new federal regulations, and a freeze on all foreign aid.”	“We will strive for solid progress in pursuing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.”
Deregulation vs Industrial Policy
“You should get rid of the CHIP Act and whatever's left over, Mr. Speaker, you should use it to reduce debt or any other reason you want to.” “To unshackle our economy, I have directed that for everyone new regulation, ten old regulations must be eliminated.”	“We will accelerate high-quality development of key industrial chains in the manufacturing sector and step up efforts to advance industrial foundation reengineering and major technology and equipment research.”