Subscribe

PODCAST

“Everything is uncertain”: Trump-Xi meeting leaves the world on edge

Tue 4 Nov 2025 06.00

International Affairs
“Everything is uncertain”: Trump-Xi meeting leaves the world on edge

The White House/Flickr

BlueskyFacebookLinkednxThread
Listen on appleListen on spotify

Trump and Xi may have come to a “deal”, but their meeting was a wasted opportunity. Plus: what do Australians think about our relationship with the US? 

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis joins Angus Blackman to discuss some new Australia Institute polling, which shows that Australians are less than convinced that we “share values” with Trump’s America. Emma is then joined by Dr Frank Yuan and Allan Behm to discuss Trump’s meeting with Xi and the chaos whirling around the president.

The first part of this discussion was recorded on Friday 31st October. The second part was recorded on Monday 3rd November.

Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via Australia Institute Press.

Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor in International Affairs, the Australia Institute

Guest: Dr Frank Yuan, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The Australia Institute // @yuan-frank

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB

Show notes: 

How China Sees the South China Sea: Beijing’s policy and interests in the South China Sea disputes by Frank Yuan, Allan Behm and Rod Campbell, The Australia Institute (October 2025)

What you need to know about the next Trump/Xi meeting by Emma Shortis, The Point (October 2025)

American exceptionalism: the poison that cannot protect its children from violent death by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (May 2022)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.

Related Articles

WHAT'S NEW

'Anti-achievement' Democrats let pressure off Trump

The Democrats have been criticised for “caving” to Donald Trump to end the longest government shutdown in US history, but political pundits believe the move may be part of a deliberate long-game strategy.

International Affairs
'Anti-achievement' Democrats let pressure off Trump

EXPLAINER

Today’s China in Seven Life Stories

As China shapes the world, who are the people shaping China?

International Affairs
Today’s China in Seven Life Stories

WHAT'S NEW

Democrats sweep to victory after shutdown becomes longest ever

Soaring costs of living and the nation’s longest government shutdown have fueled fierce voter backlash against US President Donald Trump with the Democrats being handed sweeping victories in multiple state elections.

International Affairs
Democrats sweep to victory after shutdown becomes longest ever

WHAT'S NEW

Shorter America this week: Opposing Trump, Trouble in paradise, The American elite

It isn’t always easy to keep up with what’s happening in the US. “Shorter America” is a series where Dr Emma Shortis loops you in on what’s going on in America and shares news and analysis that you can trust.

International Affairs
Shorter America this week: Opposing Trump, Trouble in paradise, The American elite