Washington, Feb. 15 -- One of the most striking things about an otherwise expansive Donald Trump, willing to hold court in the Oval Office and then do the longest press conference he has done with a visiting foreign leader so far, was his reticence on China and reluctance to say anything that could be deemed critical of the country.

Instead, Trump underplayed the competition with China, underlined he had no intention of beating anyone, spoke of his excellent ties with President Xi Jinping, highlighted China's role in the possible resolution of the war in Ukraine, spoke wistfully of possible denuclearisation with Russia and China, even offered to help mediate the India-China border issue if the countries wanted, an offer that India polite...