Chinese President Xi Jinping departed for the United States on Wednesday, marking his first state visit in 11 years. The trip, scheduled to last until September 25, comes as trade tensions and geopolitical differences between the two nations remain high. According to Chinese state media, President Xi Jinping will discuss key issues related to bilateral relations, global peace, and development with US President Donald Trump.
The last state visit by President Xi Jinping to the US was in September 2015, when he visited Seattle, Washington, and New York. He also visited the US in 2016, 2017, and 2023 for various meetings and summits. The Chinese Foreign Ministry reported that President Xi Jinping and President Trump will exchange views on major issues affecting China-US relations and international affairs.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a recent conversation with his US counterpart, Marco Rubio, that China-US relations have been moving towards a more stable and constructive path. He emphasized the need for both nations to respect each other's core interests, promote communication, and enhance cooperation. Wang Yi's comments suggest a desire to improve ties between the two nations.
According to Da Wei, director of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, the outcome of the China-US summit is expected to be limited. Da Wei cited the US administration's lack of preparedness for a productive meeting as a primary reason for the anticipated limited results. He suggested that the two nations may issue a joint statement on tariffs and rare earth minerals.
Sources familiar with the matter reported that President Xi Jinping is likely to request that President Trump halt US arms supplies to Taiwan during their meeting. In return, China may offer assistance in resolving the Iran conflict. The two leaders are also expected to discuss investments, intellectual property, and other pressing issues.
The meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Trump is not expected to be the only personal encounter between the two leaders this year. They are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shantou, China, in November and the G20 summit in Miami in December.
The Chinese government has not provided detailed information on the agenda for President Xi Jinping's visit or the schedule for negotiations. The US and China have been engaged in intense trade negotiations, with both nations imposing tariffs on each other's goods. A resolution to the trade tensions is not expected during President Xi Jinping's visit.
Key points
- Chinese President Xi Jinping begins his first state visit to the US in 11 years.
- The visit aims to improve China-US relations, which have been strained due to trade tensions and geopolitical differences.
- The two leaders are expected to discuss key issues, including trade, security, and global governance.
