Elites in both China and the U.S. are too easily tempted to buy into their own myths.

Washington and Beijing do not trust each other. But expect Trump and Xi to remain on message this week, saying friendly things about each other.

Elites in both China and the U.S. are too easily tempted to buy into their own myths.

While Donald Trump arrived for the summit wanting deals and help on Iran, Xi Jinping wanted only one thing: for China to be recognized as an equal power.