{
  "id": 9042949,
  "title": "As US and China Talk, Middle Powers Jostle for Position",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/as-us-and-china-talk-middle-powers-jostle-for-position",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T00:25:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tempo.co English",
    "slug": "tempo-co-english",
    "url": "https://en.tempo.co/read/2120042/as-us-and-china-talk-middle-powers-jostle-for-position"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "This week, influential business leaders from Germany and China convened in Düsseldorf for an economic dialogue. While trade and investment between the two nations were the primary focus, the ongoing US-China rivalry loomed large. As President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump are set to meet in Washington, there is cautious optimism that their discussions will lead to progress in resolving the ongoing trade war initiated by the US president. However, the previous meeting at a Beijing summit in May did not yield any significant outcomes.\n\nAccording to Mikko Huotari, director of the China think tank MERICS, Beijing and Washington are in a strategic stalemate, with neither side needing a breakthrough to maintain the status quo. A deal could potentially benefit President Trump's Republican Party ahead of the crucial US midterm elections in November, but the likelihood of such an outcome remains uncertain.\n\nCooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as another critical area of contention. The US has imposed restrictions on exporting high-performance chips to China, while China has retaliated by limiting the export of rare earth elements crucial for semiconductor production. Expectations are that Xi and Trump will discuss AI regulations during their talks, with Xi advocating for international cooperation and Trump warning of potential US regulatory measures.\n\nFrom a European perspective, both China and the US are viewed as challenging partners. The second \"China shock\" has already arrived in Europe, as China's technological advancements in industries like battery technology, green energy, and mobility disrupt traditional manufacturing centers. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed concerns about the unsustainable consequences of this shift in her State of the Union address.\n\nEurope is striving for a rapid transition to e-mobility and aims to significantly reduce CO2 emissions from road traffic. However, Brussels is also pushing for additional tariffs on low-cost electric cars from China, citing competitive advantages and government subsidies. China denies having an unfair advantage, and major German automakers Volkswagen and BMW oppose punitive tariffs due to potential revenue losses from Chinese retaliatory actions.\n\nThe US is also pressuring European allies to tighten restrictions on China in technology, supply chains, and security. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has adopted a more measured approach, engaging in a \"middle power\" strategy. He acknowledged the end of the old order and the necessity for middle powers to collaborate better. Carney visited China and brokered a \"new-era strategic partnership,\" resulting in a reduction of import tariffs on Chinese electric cars from 100% to 6.1%. China has also sought to engage US allies more actively, attending the BRICS summit despite relations with India being strained and participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.",
  "summary": "Regardless of what comes from China's Xi Jinping talks with US Trump, EU will likely remain stuck between erratic US trade policy & Beijing's export.",
  "key_points": [
    "US and China leaders meet in Düsseldorf for economic dialogue amid trade war tensions.",
    "European powers, including Germany, vie for influence amidst China-US rivalry.",
    "Canada adopts middle power strategy, reducing tariffs on Chinese electric cars."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The ongoing US-China rivalry is prompting middle powers like Canada and European nations to jostle for position, seeking to protect their interests and navigate the complexities of a shifting global landscape.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}