Final answer:
The term détente refers to President Nixon's approach to easing Cold War tensions, notably by resuming diplomatic relations with China and signing the SALT treaty with the Soviet Union.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term détente has been used to describe President Nixon's strategy of reducing Cold War tensions between the United States, the Soviet Union, and China. One of the most significant acts of détente was the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. This move was carefully orchestrated with secret meetings by Henry Kissinger, leading to Nixon's historic visit to China in 1972. The reopening of dialogue with China not only altered the global political landscape but also increased pressure on the Soviet Union to engage in détente on terms favorable to the United States.
Another critical element of Nixon's détente policy was his meeting with Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev, resulting in the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT). This treaty was a milestone in arms control, setting limits on the number and type of nuclear missiles both countries could maintain. Through this period of détente, diplomacy, and the strategy of pitting Communist nations against each other, Nixon managed to exert a subtler form of influence which showed progress in mitigating the arms race and potentially leading towards more peaceful coexistence despite the ongoing conflict in Vietnam.