Beijing, May 17 (V7N) — The historical geopolitical theory known as the “Thucydides Trap” has once again come into global focus following a high-level meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump in Beijing.

During the summit, Xi Jinping reportedly warned that China and the United States must avoid falling into the “Thucydides Trap,” a concept suggesting that tensions between a rising global power and an established dominant power often lead to conflict or war.

The Chinese president referred to the ancient Greek Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, using the historical example to highlight how struggles for dominance have repeatedly shaped world politics.

The theory was widely popularized by American political scientist Graham Allison in his book Destined for War. The concept originates from observations made by ancient Greek historian Thucydides, who analyzed how the rise of Athens and the fear it created in Sparta ultimately led to war.

In a 2012 article published in the Financial Times, Graham Allison questioned whether China and the United States could avoid repeating such a historical pattern in the modern era.

Analysts believe the renewed emphasis on the theory during Trump’s visit reflects Beijing’s concerns over growing geopolitical rivalry, particularly surrounding the sensitive issue of Taiwan. Chinese officials reportedly warned during the meeting that any miscalculation over Taiwan could severely damage bilateral relations and trigger a deeper crisis between the two powers.

Observers also noted that Xi Jinping has referenced the “Thucydides Trap” several times over the years while discussing relations with the United States. However, its reappearance during this summit has drawn fresh international attention amid increasing strategic competition between Washington and Beijing.

Following the meeting, Donald Trump wrote on social media that he remained optimistic about building “stronger and more positive” relations with China despite ongoing tensions.

The US-China rivalry is widely viewed by geopolitical experts as one of the clearest modern examples of the dynamics described by the Thucydides Trap theory, as China’s rapid economic and military rise increasingly challenges long-standing American global influence.

END/SMA/AJ