China’s President Xi Jinping informed U.S. President Donald Trump that progress was being made in trade discussions at the beginning of a two-day summit on Thursday. However, Xi also cautioned that disagreements over Taiwan could lead to risky consequences. The topic of Taiwan, an island claimed by Beijing, was discussed during a private meeting between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies, which lasted over two hours, according to China’s Foreign Ministry.
Despite the overall friendly and relaxed atmosphere of the summit, Xi’s comments on Taiwan served as a serious warning. While the U.S. summary of the talks did not mention Taiwan, it was a key subject of concern. Trump remained silent when asked by a reporter about Taiwan while posing for photos with Xi at the Temple of Heaven, a historic site in Beijing.
Before the summit, Trump anticipated that Xi would address the issue of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, a matter opposed by China. A $14 billion U.S. arms package is awaiting approval from Trump. The U.S. has been supporting Taiwan’s defense capabilities despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations, although Trump’s stance on this issue has been perceived as less forceful compared to past U.S. presidents.
The discussions between Xi and Trump also touched on the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently closed due to the conflict in Iran. Xi expressed interest in purchasing American oil to reduce China’s reliance on Middle Eastern oil supplies. Both countries agreed that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons, as stated in the White House summary of the talks.
Additionally, economic cooperation was a focal point, with discussions revolving around enhancing market access for American businesses in China and increasing Chinese investments in U.S. industries, according to the Washington readout. Progress was noted in addressing the issue of fentanyl precursors, which largely originate from China.
Trump and Xi participated in a state banquet alongside officials and business leaders, followed by tea and lunch the next day. Trump extended an invitation to Xi for a visit to the White House on September 24 during the banquet. This visit marks the first meeting between the two leaders since Trump’s last visit to China in 2017, with hopes for further engagements later in the year.
Accompanying Trump on the trip were a group of CEOs, including figures like Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The CEOs aimed to resolve trade-related issues with China. Eric Trump, the son and vice-president of the Trump Organization, was also present in Beijing. The trip included discussions on potential purchases of American airplanes by China and efforts to reduce the trade deficit.
Overall, the summit covered various economic and trade topics, signaling a desire for cooperation between the two nations despite challenges such as the Taiwan issue and trade imbalances. The leaders expressed mutual benefits in maintaining stable relations and working together for global prosperity.