Even as President Donald Trump works to navigate a complex relationship with China ahead of his critical summit with President Xi Jinping, a stark warning has emerged: the United States stands in a "very dangerous period" as communist China actively prepares for war against America.

This is not a theoretical musing but a direct assessment from Gatestone Institute senior fellow Gordon Chang, who claims that despite outward appearances of a positive relationship, Xi Jinping is systematically organizing his nation, both civilian and military, "for battle." While Washington may perceive peace, Beijing’s intentions are undeniably hostile.

President Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet in Washington, D.C., this Thursday. Artificial intelligence and trade are expected to dominate the discussion, yet the undercurrent of Beijing’s escalating aggression casts a long shadow over the proceedings.

Chang minced no words during a recent appearance on "Fox News Live." "Xi Jinping keeps on talking about going to war against us… and also he's preparing China's society, civilian and military, for battle. And we think we're at peace," Chang stated emphatically. "So, this is a very dangerous period for us."

The expert's dire assessment comes amid disturbing reports revealing China's direct involvement in attacks that claimed the lives of three brave U.S. troops in Jordan earlier this summer. According to the Wall Street Journal, Iran reportedly received crucial satellite images of an airbase in Jordan from Chinese entities, providing the "targeting data" necessary to carry out the deadly assault.

This isn't merely geopolitical maneuvering; it's a moral outrage. As Chang powerfully declared, "Whatever one thinks of the strategic discussions the United States has with China, there's this moral dimension that China is deliberately killing Americans."

For Chang, the path forward is clear and uncompromising: President Trump must "absolutely" get tougher on China. Decades of a misguided strategy of open dialogue with the Chinese regime, he argues, have only emboldened Beijing and made America less secure. It's a profound indictment of the establishment’s failed approach.

This week’s summit with President Trump and Xi is poised to be dramatically different from their last meeting. Since May, the Middle East has seen escalating conflict, and the global race for dominance in artificial intelligence has intensified, making the stakes higher than ever for American national security.

Chang believes that President Trump will likely face the same stonewalling on AI that former President Joe Biden encountered in his 2023 meeting with Xi. The Chinese leader, according to Chang, is in no position to compromise—and frankly, has no inclination to do so.

"Xi Jinping is facing a turbulent Communist Party at home, which means that he can't compromise. Also, he's arrogant. He incorrectly believes that China's on the way up and the United States is on the way down and we're in terminal decline," Chang explained.

This dangerous cocktail of internal pressure and misplaced arrogance means Xi is "not very much inclined in any event to compromise with the United States." It’s a sobering reality that demands strong, decisive leadership rooted in an America First vision. Confronting Beijing’s open hostility and defending American lives and interests requires nothing less than unwavering strength and a refusal to be deluded by false promises of peace. The safety and sovereignty of the United States depend on it.