WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing Wednesday for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. There is plenty to discuss for the leaders of the world’s two largest economies during the summit, which kicks off late Wednesday evening, Eastern Time.
“Good things are going to happen. This is going to be a very exciting trip,” President Trump told reporters Tuesday, expressing optimism before departing the White House.
The two-day state visit marks Trump’s first trip to China since 2017. Trump returns to a more assertive China, eager to present itself as a stable global power. The two nations have navigated a rocky relationship in recent months, stemming from the president’s aggressive trade agenda and tariffs on Chinese imports.
“The stakes are really high,” said Dr. Matthew Dallek, a professor at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management.
The summit, originally planned for March, was delayed by the war with Iran, which will be one of the biggest topics on the table this week.
“China is a strategic partner of Iran. They get a lot of oil from Iran. They also supply materials to Iran, including some materials that I think help sustain Iran’s defense capability,” Dallek said. “Maybe there is a role for China, given its ties to Iran in this moment.”
Dallek said given its influence in the region, China could emerge as a third-party negotiator to help broker a deal, especially with the Strait of Hormuz.
“Maybe if he [Trump] gives certain things to China, they can be helpful on that front,” Dallek said.
President Trump was asked about President Xi potentially stepping in to broker a solution on Tuesday.
“He could, I mean, it might be,” Trump said. “I don’t think we need any help with Iran, to be honest with you, they’re defeated militarily. And they’ll either do the right thing or we’ll finish the job,” Trump added.
Topics at the two-day summit will extend beyond the Middle East. Taiwan and the global race for tech dominance, including artificial intelligence, will be paramount — made clear by the presence of several tech and finance moguls who traveled with the president to China.
Trade will also be on the docket for the two leaders.
“Trade remains a big, high-stakes issue,” Dallek said. “Trump and Xi will both be looking, I think, for both leverage, but also an outcome where they can claim some kind of win.”
Tariffs remain a flashpoint not only at the summit, but also at home. On Tuesday, a federal appeals court issued a pause allowing Trump’s 10% import tariffs to remain in effect — for now.
Last week, the U.S. Court of International Trade said the White House overstepped its authority under a 1974 trade law used to impose the 10% duties. Those tariffs were implemented by the administration as a “Plan B” after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down some of the president’s most sweeping tariffs earlier this year- dealing a major blow to Trump’s economic agenda.
