President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping opened high-stakes talks at the White House on Wednesday, according to CNBC. The meeting follows a previous summit between the two leaders in China this May, where discussions centered on trade, technology, and Taiwan, the Conversation reported. The Washington visit marks Xi’s first trip to the United States capital since September 2015, when he was received by then-President Barack Obama, according to Invezz.
High-Stakes Washington Summit Begins
Upon Xi’s arrival Wednesday evening at Maryland’s Joint Base Andrews, Trump walked down a red carpet rolled out by U.S. service members to greet him at the airplane stairs. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly noted that Trump is reciprocating hospitality after Xi hosted him for a historic summit in China earlier in the summer, stating that the U.S. president aims to forge relationships to advance national interests.
Trade Agreements and the Tariff Truce
Trade remains the most urgent yet straightforward issue on the agenda, as leaders navigate a fragile relationship marked by deep mutual distrust and rising tensions, according to ABC News. Nearly a year ago in Busan, South Korea, Trump and Xi agreed to lift certain export controls on high-end technology, reduce three-figure tariffs on Chinese goods, and maintain the flow of critical minerals and rare earths to the United States, the Conversation reported. That pact is currently up for renewal, while a broader tariff truce reached in South Korea is scheduled to expire on November 10, according to Invezz.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that the nations would make announcements regarding agriculture and non-tariff barriers. Investors have also looked for progress on a proposed mutual tariff reduction covering $30 billion in goods, which Bloomberg reported could include energy tariffs that might pave the way for a resumption of Chinese liquefied natural gas imports.
Artificial Intelligence and Sensitive Issues
Discussions regarding artificial intelligence have gained added urgency due to rapid developments in the technology. While the U.S. has developed an increasingly unfriendly atmosphere toward unregulated AI, public sentiment in China has been less hostile due to healthcare benefits, according to the Conversation.
Taiwan is expected to remain a highly sensitive topic. Xi has repeatedly called for an end to U.S. support for the island, while Trump has maintained strategic ambiguity regarding whether the U.S. would defend Taiwan if Beijing invaded. In their May meeting, Xi warned that improper handling of the Taiwan issue could lead the two nations into conflict, according to ABC News.
Middle East Tensions and Summit Schedule
The widening conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have also drawn attention, dealing an economic blow to the U.S. amid high gas and diesel prices. Although the U.S. has targeted countries with financial ties to Iran through the Treasury’s ‘Operation Economic Outcast,’ the administration has downplayed taking direct action against China, according to ABC News.
The multi-day summit schedule includes an arrival ceremony and military review on the State Floor and Rose Garden of the White House, followed by a state dinner in the East Room hosted by Trump and first lady Melania Trump for the Chinese delegation. On Friday, the leaders and first ladies are slated to hold a private tea and tour the National Archives before Xi’s departure, according to CNBC.