Success of Trump-Xi summit lies in what happens afterwards

The success of the upcoming Trump-Xi summit in Washington will hinge on how the agreement translates into practical arrangements after the talks. Both sides bring differing priorities to the negotiation, with the US emphasizing trade concessions, technology access and security assurances, while China seeks greater policy consistency, particularly on Taiwan and technology restrictions.

The most immediate opportunity lies in achieving a tariff reduction framework covering around $30 billion worth of goods, which could help stabilize Asia-Pacific supply chains. However, the long-term value of any agreement depends on clear timelines, working-level channels and procedures to manage disagreements. Taiwan remains a highly sensitive issue for China, while the South China Sea disputes call for maintaining rules for maritime interactions and crisis communication channels.

Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence into the talks could provide an additional avenue for dialogue, yet this remains a challenging area. A more stable China-US relationship would allow Asia-Pacific economies to pursue their own development and security interests without being forced to choose between the two powers.

Such stability could ease tensions between Europe's economic ties with China and its security coordination with the US, while also creating greater room for cooperation on global issues like climate finance, debt and public health.