Prospective Meeting Between Trump and Xi Jinping
In Washington, President Trump has expressed his willingness to engage in discussions with Xi Jinping, the paramount leader of China. Meanwhile, in Beijing, Chinese officials and experts are in consensus that a meeting between the two heads of state is essential before any substantial reconfiguration of relations between the United States and China can take place. This is particularly critical given Mr. Trump’s assertive stance on trade and foreign policy.
However, the process of arranging such a meeting is proving to be both slow and challenging. Senator Steve Daines, a Republican from Montana, visited Beijing this month as an informal envoy of President Trump. He indicated that one of the primary objectives of his trip was to lay the groundwork for a potential presidential summit. After his discussions with China’s Vice Premier for Economic Policy, He Lifeng, Senator Daines mentioned in an interview that he anticipates a summit could occur by the end of the year. This timeline, however, is more protracted than many in Washington had initially hoped.
On the Chinese end, Communist Party officials and government advisors have expressed their surprise at Mr. Trump’s swift and unpredictable actions regarding tariffs, Greenland, Ukraine, and other pressing issues. They have also been taken aback by his public confrontations with foreign leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. Consequently, there is a sense of caution on the Chinese side when it comes to scheduling a summit.
Tensions between Beijing and Washington are likely to escalate this week, as a new wave of Mr. Trump’s tariffs is set to take effect, potentially imposing significant restrictions on trade. Chinese officials are hesitant to finalize a summit until both parties negotiate key details in advance, including a comprehensive agreement that would remain effective for the duration of Mr. Trump’s presidency. As of now, the Trump administration has yet to clarify what constitutes an acceptable deal.
Wu Xinbo, the dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, articulated the sentiments from the Chinese perspective, stating, “The Chinese side believes the Trump administration has not really figured out what is the way to deal with China and make a deal.”
