The Economist: ‘It is sometimes said, not least by President Donald Trump, that America and China are now the G2, a duo of superpowers leading the world. That is a grim thought.’

And: ‘Had they more skill and humility, Mr Trump and Mr Xi could head off the most harmful conflicts and find areas where they could work together for everyone’s benefit.’

As well: ‘For America to attack Iran was a strategic blunder, and China has been content to let it reap what it has sown.’ The conclusion: ‘So the summit will probably yield little besides forced smiles. Such a lack of ambition is troubling. (…) The G2 is not leading the world so much as holding it to ransom.’

Forced smiles. The cold war. But at least some of the Soviet and American leaders at the time had some ambition—for example Reagan and Gorbachev.

Waiting for better leaders, or for improved human beings?