WASHINGTON — President Trump’s self-described “nice relationship” together with his Chinese language counterpart, Xi Jinping, shall be put to the check beginning later Tuesday because the US president travels to Beijing for the primary time in 9 years.
Over two days of conferences, Trump is predicted to boost a collection of issues about synthetic intelligence, the worldwide financial system, commerce and nuclear weapons. He will even be touring with a who’s who of CEOs to assist him make his case for Chinese language funding in America.
Xi, in flip, needs to see America tone down its assist for Taiwan — the self-governing island China claims as its personal territory — and hold Trump from hitting Beijing with one other collection of devastating tariffs.
Trump’s go to was initially scheduled for early April, however was pushed again because of the struggle with Iran. As with final month’s state go to of King Charles III, the president is predicted to maintain the Center East battle on the again burner so as to give the pomp and circumstance of the state go to his full consideration.
Requested what he hopes to get out of the summit, Trump responded: “Quite a bit.”
“I’ve a fantastic relationship with President Xi. We’re doing loads of enterprise, however it’s sensible enterprise,” he informed reporters within the Oval Workplace Monday.
Right here’s a take a look at the main points up for dialogue:
Synthetic Intelligence
This week will mark the primary time Trump and Xi talk about synthetic intelligence face-to-face amid questions on guidelines that may govern the “tech race” between Washington and Beijing.
The Trump administration stated the 2 sides ought to hold an open “channel of communication,” however a senior US official was fast to downplay any expectations for a breakthrough.
“We wish to take this alternative with the leaders’ assembly to open up a dialog and to see if we must always set up a channel of communication on AI issues,” this individual stated, including the 2 sides want to seek out “channels of de-confliction” amid issues in regards to the position superior AI fashions play in areas like cyber-espionage.
Commerce
Beijing is predicted to announce purchases of US airplanes, agricultural merchandise and vitality throughout the two-day sitdown, which might be a significant win for Trump.
A senior US official declined to element the precise purchases anticipated however stated talks have been taking place “for a fairly some time.”
“They comprehend it’s one thing that they want. They comprehend it’s one thing we wish to promote,” the official informed reporters on a name Sunday. “These are the first sectors the place we’re potential buy agreements.”
Farmers, one of many president’s key teams of supporters, wish to see China put in a big order for soybeans. In the meantime, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg is touring with the US delegation as his firm lobbies to promote its expensive planes to the Chinese language authorities.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will even attend the summit within the hope of transferring offers alongside.
“Commerce will dominate the summit agenda,” Patricia Kim, China scholar on the Brookings Establishment, informed reporters at a briefing. “It’s additionally the difficulty President Trump is most personally invested in. I believe Beijing’s priorities are equally pragmatic. It’s extending the commerce truce, preserving entry to US expertise, and rolling again — or not less than stopping the additional tightening — of US export controls.”
Trump imposed 20% tariffs on China early in his second time period after which, in April 2025, added a 34% levy, making the overall US tariffs on China among the many highest of any nation. Beijing retaliated by cracking down on agricultural imports — hurting American farmers — and shutting entry to uncommon earth minerals, a subject Trump hopes to reopen throughout the summit.
A gathering between Trump and Xi in October 2025 led to the US decreasing tariffs to 10% on sure items. The Supreme Court docket’s February ruling putting down sure emergency tariffs was additionally a lift for Beijing, although excessive duties stay on sure items — together with 100% on electrical automobiles and 50% on sure metal andaluminum merchandise.
“Throughout this go to, President Trump will proceed doing what he has achieved over the previous yr: Rebalancing the connection with China and prioritizing reciprocity and equity to revive American financial independence,” White Home deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly stated.
Taiwan
The small island is on the prime of the agenda for Xi, who will hope to benefit from Trump’s off-the-cuff type to vary American coverage on Taiwan.
“Beijing has been very clear that Taiwan must be part of the dialog,” Kim stated. “It makes it extremely sure that Xi Jinping will use this summit to press President Trump on Taiwan.”
Below the US’ “One China” coverage, Washington acknowledges Beijing’s declare to Taiwan, however doesn’t explicitly settle for it, and avoids direct advocacy for Taiwan independence
In the meantime, the US is one among Taiwan’s greatest arms sellers. In December, Trump introduced the biggest ever weapons package deal for the island, value greater than $11 billion.
Trump has stated he’ll speak about weapons gross sales and different points associated to the island when he meets with Xi.
“I’m going to have that dialogue with President Xi,” he stated Monday. “President Xi would love us to not, and I’ll have that dialogue. That’s one of many many issues I’ll be speaking about.”
Whereas American officers have been cautious to insist there are not any coverage adjustments coming, Taiwan is watching very intently.
“We hope that the Trump-Xi summit doesn’t produce any surprises concerning Taiwan-related points,” Taipei International Minister Lin Chia-lung stated Thursday.
Nuclear Weapons
China has been reluctant to speak about its quickly rising nuclear arsenal.
Estimates had Xi’s authorities with between 600 and620 operational warheads as of early 2026, making China the world’s third-largest nuclear power. Analysts say that stockpile might develop to greater than 1,000 warheads by 2030 and as much as 1,500 by 2035.
Trump has stated he needs to debate the nuclear problem in his assembly with Xi, however a senior US official downplayed the chance, saying of the Chinese language: “They’ve no real interest in sitting down and discussing any form of nuclear arms management or something alongside these strains at this level.”
Prisoners’ Plight
Trump has pledged to speak to Xi about human rights points, together with the instances of Pastor Ezra Jin, a minister with American members of the family who was imprisoned throughout a Chinese language crackdown, and that of tycoon Jimmy Lai, a outstanding critic of Beijing who based a pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong.
In December, Lai was sentenced to twenty years in jail. On the time, Trump expressed sympathy, saying he felt “badly” for Lai.
The president has since vowed to carry up the case to Xi.
“I’d wish to see him get out,” Trump stated Monday. “So I’ll carry him up once more.”
