Xi said to bring large CEO delegation on US visit

President Xi Jinping is set to bring a significant number of corporate leaders to the United States for his September 24 summit, according to two sources familiar with the plans. This departure from his typical practice of traveling abroad with only a few executives marks a notable shift in diplomatic posture. The delegation, which has not yet been publicly disclosed, is intended to underscore China's commitment to fostering investment and commercial relations with the United States, while also presenting potential economic benefits to the Biden administration ahead of the midterm elections.

The decision to include a larger group of business leaders comes amid heightened scrutiny of Chinese companies operating in the United States. Washington has imposed stringent measures, including tariffs on electric vehicles, bans on certain technological imports, and divestitures of Chinese tech firms. These actions have strained relations between the two nations, which have been at odds over a range of issues, including technology, trade, and national security concerns.

While the participation of these business leaders is seen as a positive development by some analysts, the prospects for substantive outcomes at the summit remain limited. Both countries continue to hold divergent views on key issues, such as the classification of products as "non-sensitive" under the Joint Committee on Trade, and the need for reciprocal tariff reductions.

Despite these challenges, the White House is pressing for progress, particularly in areas like agriculture and non-tariff barriers, in an effort to bolster bilateral ties.