How Trump Can Win Over the Red Emperor

Plus: Jeff Goldblum’s Idea of Misery

View in browser | Update preferences SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS When I first approached the biographer Michael Sheridan to commission a piece on Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader and subject of Sheridan’s book, The Red Emperor: Xi Jinping and His New China, Trump was scheduled to visit China for the first time since 2017. Soon thereafter, Trump waged a war against Iran, forcing him to postpone the landmark trip. This turn of events became a prime example of the differences between the two men, which Sheridan highlights in his piece today. “Xi is not a transactional politician who improvises policy on a whim, who posts his intentions on social media, or changes his mind in the meeting,” he writes. And as Sheridan points out, Trump and Xi have never quite bonded, “Despite effusions of friendship from the Trump side, Xi has typically responded with cautious formality, best characterized as avoidance diplomacy.” Now that the trip is back on, here’s everything Trump needs to know about the art of the deal with the red emperor. Also in the mix today, an inside look at the star-studded premiere of Euphoria, a conversation with the one and only Pamela Anderson, and learn what Jeff Goldblum’s idea of misery is as he answers the VF Proust questionnaire. DANIELA TIJERINA, ASSOCIATE EDITOR Why this ad? Everything Trump Needs to Know to Broker a Deal With Xi Jinping BY MICHAEL SHERIDAN Ahead of President Trump’s highly anticipated trip to China, Xi Jinping’s biographer accentuates the differences—and draws parallels—between the two leaders. READ MORE Get more as a Vanity Fair subscriber Exclusive offer: Subscribe to get one month of Vanity Fair free START YOUR FREE TRIAL More Great Reads TELEVISION The Long-Awaited Reunion at the Euphoria Premiere BY REBECCA FORD Zendaya. Sydney Sweeney. Jacob Elordi. The stars of the hit HBO show reconvened, and creator Sam Levinson shared the emotional journey to the highly anticipated third season. READ MORE STYLE Pamela Anderson’s Balancing Act BY ELISE TAYLOR Today, The Last Showgirl star releases a wicker furniture collaboration with cool-girl brand Olive Ateliers—a year after she did a limited-edition artisanal pickle drop. Is Anderson set to go Goop? READ MORE From the Magazine Jeff Goldblum’s Idea of Misery BY JEFF GOLDBLUM The actor, musician, and virtuosic raconteur is thrilled to teach the world what uxorious means—and counts a certain cartoon sailor among his favorite philosophers. For the Spring 2026 issue, Jeff Goldblum answers Vanity Fair’s Proust questionnaire. READ MORE Why this ad? In Other News Gird Your Loins: The Cerulean Collection Is Coming And you don’t need to fish it out of a clearance bin. Unpacking Rex Heuermann’s New York In 2023, VF’s Dan Adler reported on the alleged double life of the Gilgo Beach serial killer—who pleaded guilty today. MORE FROM VANITY FAIR POLITICS BUSINESS HOLLYWOOD STYLE ROYALS CELEBRITY This e-mail was sent to you by VANITY FAIR. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2026. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.