China's top leader, Xi Jinping, meets President Trump in Washington with vastly different political clocks. The American president faces midterm election pressures and a grinding war, while Mr. Xi gears up for a norm-shattering fourth term. For Mr. Xi, this disparity gives him an edge in maintaining the truce reached last year.

A renewed trade fight would hit American consumers before the election — a risk Mr. Trump can ill afford. China's economy struggles too, but Mr. Xi answers to no electorate, giving him patience to prolong détente on his terms. Analysts say China benefits every time Mr. Trump's attention drifts elsewhere, such as quarreling with American allies or sinking deeper into the war in Iran, weakening global standing and pulling troops from the Pacific. 'Xi would love to tell Trump, "Go on, stay the course,"' said Suisheng Zhao, executive director of the China Center at the University of Denver. 'For Xi, Trump represents a window of opportunity for China, so his priority is to buy more time.'.