Trump’s China Visit Lays Groundwork Amid Modest Deals

During President Donald Trump’s recent visit to China, the outcomes were modest, yet they set a foundation for future relations with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. While specific issues could still impact ties, agreements on trade and investment were reached.

Trade Agreements

The White House detailed several agreements, including China’s commitment to purchase at least $17 billion annually in U.S. agricultural products until 2028. Additionally, China ordered planes from Boeing, though fewer than anticipated, leading to market disappointment. China is also resuming imports of U.S. beef and poultry from areas free of bird flu.

Both countries agreed to establish mechanisms for discussing trade and investment, addressing U.S. concerns about Chinese export controls on rare earth minerals crucial for technology and defense. Beijing has yet to confirm these agreements.

Main Issues Overlooked

Key issues, such as Taiwan and the Iran conflict, saw limited progress. Neither country’s public announcements addressed these geopolitical concerns significantly.

Regarding Taiwan, Xi warned that mishandling the situation could lead to conflict. Despite the U.S. maintaining its policy on Taiwan, Trump’s remarks about cooling tensions and using arms sales as leverage elicited concerns.

Iran Standoff

There was some alignment on the Iran issue, with both countries opposing Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz and its aspirations for nuclear weapons. However, China’s stance remains critical of the Iran conflict, and Xi’s potential support for increased pressure on Iran appears unlikely.

Future Engagements

Looking ahead, Trump announced Xi’s reciprocal visit to the U.S. on September 24. This gesture is seen as a stabilizing factor in relations despite unresolved issues like cybersecurity and technological restrictions.

Wang, a research fellow, noted the ongoing concerns about Chinese investment in the U.S., citing the stalled Nongfu Spring factory project in New Hampshire as an example. Despite improvements, challenges remain in the diplomatic landscape as China seeks to portray strength and equality with the U.S.