US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have begun high-level talks in Beijing focused on trade disputes, the Iran conflict, Taiwan and growing technological rivalry between the world’s two largest economies. The summit comes amid efforts to stabilise relations after months of economic and geopolitical tension, with both sides signalling cautious engagement despite deep strategic differences…reports Asian Lite News Desk
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held summit talks in Beijing on Thursday, with a wide-ranging agenda expected to include trade relations, the US-Israeli war on Iran, Taiwan and technological competition between the two powers.
Prior to the formal meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Trump was received with a ceremonial welcome that included a handshake between the two leaders, national anthems performed by a military band, an inspection of the honour guard and a reception featuring children waving flowers and flags of both countries, according to Yonhap news agency.
In his opening remarks, Trump said: “It’s an honour to be with you. It’s an honour to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before,”.
Trump arrived in the Chinese capital on Wednesday evening for a three-day visit, marking his first trip to China since November 2017. The visit comes amid an impasse in diplomatic efforts linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran and Israel, as well as heightened global concern over the security of key maritime routes including the Strait of Hormuz.
The last in-person meeting between Trump and Xi took place in Busan, South Korea, on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. That meeting resulted in a one-year trade truce aimed at reducing existing tariffs and pausing further trade restrictions, including Chinese measures on rare earth elements.
Ahead of the Beijing summit, Trump emphasised trade as a central focus, seeking concrete economic outcomes that could influence domestic political sentiment ahead of the US midterm elections scheduled for November.
Washington is expected to press for expanded Chinese purchases of American agricultural goods, including soybeans and beef, as well as increased orders of Boeing aircraft and related aerospace components.
The Middle East conflict is also expected to feature prominently in discussions. Trump is seeking an exit from the protracted war involving Iran and hopes to secure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil, fertiliser and other commodities.
China has expressed concern about disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, given its reliance on imported energy supplies. While Beijing has diversified energy sources and built up substantial oil reserves, analysts say the conflict continues to pose long-term economic risks for the country.
Other issues expected on the agenda include Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory, and intensifying technological competition between the two countries, particularly in artificial intelligence development and related industries.
Some observers have also suggested that North Korea could be discussed, given Trump’s repeated calls to restart diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and China’s ongoing economic and diplomatic influence over Pyongyang.
Following the summit discussions, the two leaders are expected to visit the Temple of Heaven park and attend a state banquet hosted in Beijing.
On Friday, they are scheduled to have tea and a working luncheon before Trump departs the Chinese capital.
This week’s meeting is seen as the first in a series of possible engagements between Trump and Xi this year, with further talks anticipated on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen in November and the Group of 20 summit in Florida in December.
