American populism will meet Chinese pride. And the fevered political climate created by US mid term elections means that the world s most important bilateral relationship is headed for real turbulence this year.

The news in Sarkozy s favored media outletJournal du Dimanche that the couple plan to marry touched off a flurry of fevered speculation on when the happy event might occur. The couple exchanged significant tokens of their mutual affection he offered her a heart shaped pink diamond ring by Dior, she offered him a Swiss watch.