Xi Jinping didn’t need to say “United States” for the whole world to know who he was aiming at: “A certain country, obsessed with maintaining its hegemony, has done everything possible to cripple emerging markets and developing nations. Whoever progresses rapidly becomes a target. Whoever catches up becomes a threat.”

And he finished with what half the planet thinks but few leaders dare say: “All of this is futile. The world we live in is a community with a shared future. People do not want a new Cold War. They want a world of lasting peace and universal security.”

The shot couldn’t have come at a worse time for Trump. In the last 48 hours: he blockaded Iran’s ports, attacked the Pope, fought with Meloni, threatened to leave NATO, Chinese tankers sailed through his blockade untouched, and oil topped $100 a barrel. Meanwhile, Xi signed trade deals with Spain, presented a 4-point Middle East peace plan and hosted Abu Dhabi’s crown prince.