US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, greet each other in Busan, South Korea.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to push for major concessions on Taiwan and trade tariffs as he hosts United States President Donald Trump during a crucial summit in Beijing taking place amid rising global tensions over the war involving Iran.
Trump arrived in China on Wednesday evening for a three-day state visit, marking the first trip by a sitting US president to the country since his earlier visit in 2017 during his first administration. The meeting is widely seen as one of the most important diplomatic engagements between the world’s two largest economies in recent years, as both nations seek to manage growing political, military, and economic rivalries.
At the centre of discussions is the sensitive issue of Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory under the “One China” principle. Taiwan, however, operates as a self-governing democratic state with its own government and military. Although Washington formally cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan decades ago, the United States remains legally committed to supporting the island’s defence under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.
Over the years, the US has approved billions of dollars in arms sales to Taiwan and expanded military cooperation and intelligence sharing with Taipei moves China strongly opposes, describing them as interference in its internal affairs.
Chinese officials have made it clear that Taiwan will dominate discussions during the summit. In a recent conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly described Taiwan as “the biggest risk” in US-China relations.
The issue has gained further attention after Trump confirmed that American arms sales to Taiwan would form part of the summit agenda. The US Congress earlier approved a proposed 14-billion-dollar weapons package for Taiwan, but the final approval still rests with Trump. Analysts believe Beijing will attempt to persuade Washington to either suspend or reduce the deal.
Experts warn that any concession by Trump on Taiwan could significantly alter decades of US foreign policy and weaken Taiwan’s defence posture at a time of increasing Chinese military pressure around the island.
Beyond Taiwan, trade and economic tensions are also expected to feature prominently in the talks. Relations between both countries have remained strained following a renewed trade war launched during Trump’s second presidency. The dispute saw both nations impose steep tariffs and sanctions on each other, with duties at one point exceeding 100 percent.
Although both sides agreed to temporarily pause further escalation during a previous meeting in South Korea last October, tensions have persisted. Washington recently imposed fresh sanctions on several Chinese companies accused of purchasing Iranian oil and assisting Tehran’s drone and missile programmes.
China responded by instructing its companies to ignore some of the US sanctions, signaling Beijing’s determination to resist growing American economic pressure.
Chinese leaders are reportedly seeking more predictable trade policies from Washington to stabilize their economy and reduce uncertainty for investors and manufacturers. Analysts say Beijing wants clear assurances on future tariff levels and export restrictions before making significant economic commitments.
At the same time, Xi is expected to offer increased Chinese purchases of American agricultural products and Boeing aircraft as part of efforts to improve economic ties. However, analysts believe China is unlikely to compromise on rare earth exports a critical sector where Beijing dominates global supply unless the United States offers major political concessions.
The summit is also unfolding against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict involving Iran and the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass.
China, a major buyer of Iranian oil and a longstanding strategic partner of Tehran, has repeatedly called for dialogue and a ceasefire. Beijing is expected to urge Washington to pursue diplomatic negotiations rather than further escalation in the Middle East crisis.
While the White House has reportedly encouraged China to pressure Iran into reopening key shipping routes, Beijing insists its foreign policy remains based on non-intervention and mediation rather than direct involvement in conflicts.
Political analysts say the Beijing summit could shape the future direction of US-China relations for years to come, with outcomes likely to influence global trade, security, energy markets, and geopolitical stability across Asia and beyond.
