Trump to host Xi amid pomp, low expectations

President Donald Trump is scheduled to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House next week for a series of meetings. The summit, which will include a state dinner and ceremonial events, comes amid ongoing tensions between the two nations regarding artificial intelligence regulation, trade, the status of Taiwan, and U.S. sanctions related to Iran.

U.S. officials confirmed that President Trump will personally welcome President Xi at Joint Base Andrews next Wednesday, with formal meetings to follow on Thursday. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, President Trump stated that he intends to discuss a wide range of topics with the Chinese leader.

Ahead of the summit, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng this weekend to conduct preliminary discussions, which are expected to include the subject of U.S. sanctions on countries dealing with Iran. While there have been reports alleging that Chinese entities provided intelligence to Tehran for a strike on U.S. troops, President Trump has downplayed these claims, noting that both nations engage in intelligence gathering.

Experts suggest that the summit is unlikely to yield significant policy breakthroughs. Jonathan Czin of the Brookings Institution stated that the meeting may focus more on the rapport between the two leaders than on concrete results. Similarly, Kurt Campbell, Chairman of The Asia Group, characterized the event as a spectacle designed for public consumption rather than a traditional policy summit.

Discussions regarding artificial intelligence are expected to be a priority, though analysts such as Wang Dong of Peking University noted that major regulatory agreements remain difficult to achieve due to the competitive nature of the technological race between the two countries. On the issue of trade, analysts from The Economist Intelligence Unit suggested there may be potential for progress regarding tariffs, agricultural purchases, and export controls.

The visit also follows appeals regarding human rights, including a request from the son of imprisoned Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai for his father’s release. President Trump previously stated he discussed the case with President Xi in May, though the release of the prisoner is considered unlikely.

The summit is expected to lead to further diplomatic engagements. The two leaders are anticipated to meet again in November at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Shenzhen, and President Trump is expected to invite President Xi to the G20 summit in December at his Doral resort in Miami.

Article and image source: koreatimes.co.kr