Trevor Noah says the bromance of Russia's Putin and China's Xi is bad for America, not just Trump's ego

Trevor on the Xi-Putin bromance and Trump — (Image credit: Screenshot/YouTube/The Daily Show)

Last week, a Russian destroyer nearly rammed into a U.S. warship on the high seas. Where would Russia get the nerve "to play chicken against America in the Pacific?" Trevor Noah asked on Tuesday's Daily Show. "Well, maybe it's because they have a new and powerful BFF." While President Trump was meeting with allies in Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin was hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping, and they got really friendly.

"That's right, Xi and Putin have gotten so close they're even taking boat rides together," Noah said. "And not just a normal boat ride — Putin even helped Xi re-create that scene from Titanic. It was like, 'Yeah, I'm king of the woooorld! No, really, China's taking over the woooorld!'" And Xi, significantly, gave Putin two pandas. "The point is, China and Russia are getting super close, and the consequences for America go beyond boat rides and cute bears," Noah said. China and Russia are "teaming up against the United States. I mean, America could probably handle China or Russia, but not both at the same time. Imagine if in Rocky IV, Ivan Drago was fighting and then Jackie Chan jumped in the ring to help. That would be the end of Rocky."

"Beyond geopolitics, the personal element of this bromance is probably something that's gonna bug Donald Trump," Noah said. "Because don't forget, he wants to be a part of this club — he loves those dudes. ... So to see his two besties make plans without him, that's gotta hurt. And I don't think he's dealing with his feelings in the most mature way." The clip he showed did look pretty bad, in context. "Wow, really Trump? He's going to put tariffs on China if Xi doesn't hang out with him? That is so childish," Noah said. "Xi Jinping won't have a play date? Tariffs!" He ended with some dubious relationship advice for Trump. Watch below. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.