Xi Jinping is not known for his easy smiles. China’s most powerful Communist leader in decades has built a reputation reinforced by state media during his 12-year rule as a serious and steady hand.

As he so often does, the president is pushing the wrong answer to the right question on trade policy with Beijing.

When President Trump meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping later Wednesday, he will be extending a hand to a leader that Washington and national security experts have identified as the biggest