Trump and Xi to Meet as Trade Truce Tops Agenda

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will meet in Washington on Thursday, with the future of the trade truce between the world’s two largest economies expected to top the agenda. Taiwan and the war with Iran may also be discussed.

The US and China agreed to a trade truce last year that prevented a further escalation of their tariff dispute. Ahead of the summit, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held preparatory talks in New York, including on potential safeguards for artificial intelligence and trade in non-sensitive products.

Meanwhile, China’s export boom continues, with its global trade surplus on track to exceed $1tn for the second consecutive year.

Taiwan may also feature in the talks. Trump said that when the two leaders met in Beijing in May, Xi repeatedly raised the issue, including US arms sales to Taiwan and Washington’s willingness to defend the island.

Washington also wants Beijing to use its influence over Tehran to help bring an end to the war with Iran. Xi, however, has so far shown little inclination to exert such pressure.

(Reuters, lud)