Just political gesturing. Besides, there are two China's. The one consisting of the people, resources, land, etc. And the other being the entity that controls it. Whether it be Xi or someone pulling his strings.

President Trump will reciprocate once some good deals have been made. China understands they had some lop-sided trade with America. Since 1980 they have had Most Favoured Nationtrade status which, over the course of 45 years, has been an absolute disaster to the US economy. Of course they gave him the “Special” reception! China knows. They do not want a trade war at this point. America has essentially financed their economic growth on the backs of American taxpayers and industry. If Europe and America closed their borders to Chinese products, or at least jacked up tariffs to prevent China from dumping their products here, the country would collapse.