<p><pre><code> He wants the Chinese leadership to doubt his intentions. He puts a premium in flexibility and sees no advantage in telegraphing to the Chinese his future plans. One of his take-aways from his turn in power is that obscurity and unpredictability work to his advantage.
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I think the author gives Trump too much credit. I don't think Trump knows what he wants to do with China and he is unpredictable because he doesn't. Trump flip flops. He's chaotic in his personality. He's not chaotic because he sees it as an advantage.