Don’t Expect Fireworks From the Trump-Xi Summit
Trade, minerals, and AI are on the agenda, but breakthroughs are unlikely.
This week, U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington. Both leaders are dealing with a range of domestic and international issues. The White House's preparation for the summit appears to have been chaotic and incompetent. Neither side is in a position to pursue dramatic outcomes.
Trump faces criticism at home for his handling of various matters, while China is still grappling with the aftermath of its property crisis. The U.S. government has dismantled some of its top China-focused think tanks, which could impact the depth of analysis available ahead of the summit.
The main priorities for the meeting are likely to center around managing the trade relationship, securing the supply of critical minerals from China, and discussing artificial intelligence safety. However, agreement between China and the United States on AI safety may prove challenging due to differing approaches in regulating companies and executives.
Xi Jinping is expected to emphasize the importance of business as usual and avoid provoking Trump. The recent purging of high-ranking Chinese military leaders may indicate a potential reluctance to engage in significant confrontations. The United States has refrained from confronting China over its alleged support for Iran, and Xi has no incentive to bring up the issue.
While the exact agenda for the summit remains unclear, it is possible that Xi may push Trump on Taiwan. Trump may respond by adopting more definitive language regarding Taiwan's status, which could lead to further tensions. The 2027 deadline for China's military readiness to invade Taiwan has lost its prominence in U.S. security discourse, reflecting uncertainty surrounding Trump's commitment to Taiwan's defense.
Written by urgent.news from Foreign Policy's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
