AFP: What Gifts Does Beijing Hope Trump Will Bring to the Upcoming Trump-Xi Summit?
Ahead of U.S. President Trump's visit to China for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Agence France-Presse details the key areas of focus. China seeks an extension of the trade truce and targeted tariff reductions, while issues like Iran, rare earths, and purchases of U.S. agricultural products are expected to be central to negotiations.
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Beijing, 8th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) U.S. President Trump is scheduled to visit China from May 14th to 15th, and is expected to hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump's visit was previously postponed due to the Iran conflict. Below are the key points of observation for the Trump-Xi summit scheduled for next week, compiled by Agence France-Presse.
● What does China want?
Analysts point out that, besides diplomatic courtesies, Beijing will seek small-scale and concrete results in closed-door meetings; however, given Trump's unpredictable nature, China will maintain a "realistic and pragmatic" attitude.
Benjamin Ho, a scholar at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, notes that China hopes for a broad reset in bilateral relations but understands this is unlikely.
Previously, the U.S. and China were embroiled in an intense trade war, with U.S. tariffs on many Chinese goods reaching an astonishing 145%. Retaliatory actions by both sides cooled down after Trump and Xi Jinping reached a one-year truce agreement last October. Experts point out that the primary goal for Beijing at this Trump-Xi summit will be to extend the truce agreement.
"What China needs is for Trump to fulfill his engagement promises and achieve at least a few concrete results in top-level discussions," said Yue Su, an analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
She believes Beijing would be satisfied if it could obtain results such as "targeted" tariff reductions, as this would give China reason to moderately lower its own tariffs or relax export restrictions.
● What is the impact of the Iran conflict?
Experts believe the Trump-Xi summit will be difficult to avoid the Iran issue, but "this is not an area China wants to delve into deeply."
Lizzi Lee, a scholar at the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI), points out that "the U.S. has already begun to pressure China before the summit, targeting Beijing's economic ties with Tehran."
Trump warned last month that if China provided military aid to Iran, the U.S. would impose 50% tariffs on Chinese goods.
Beijing is a close partner of Tehran, having called U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran illegal, but at the same time has criticized Iran's attacks on Gulf states and called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Su believes China will not accept U.S. pressure to take action against Iran or Russia, as Beijing has influence over these two countries but not "decisive control."
China will also strive to prevent "unnecessary complications," avoiding new U.S. tariffs due to its trade with Iran.
● What are China's bargaining chips?
One of China's key bargaining chips is rare earths, which are crucial for manufacturing products from smartphones to electric vehicles. China's dominant position in the rare earth industry is the result of decades of effort.
Su points out that rare earths remain Beijing's most powerful tool if it wants to pressure Washington for substantial concessions.
Joe Mazur, a geopolitical analyst at Trivium China in Beijing, notes that Trump has shown he "cares very much" about rare earths.
Mazur believes Beijing will prepare some "quick wins" before Trump's visit, possibly including expanded purchases of U.S. agricultural products or Boeing aircraft. He suggests Beijing might hope this puts Trump and his team in a positive mindset when discussing more complex, thorny issues.
● How is Beijing preparing?
Li analyzes that China has diversified trade towards Southeast Asia and the "Global South" and strengthened regional ties to avoid instability brought by Trump.
Furthermore, Beijing has strengthened legal and regulatory tools, such as recently blocking tech giant Meta's acquisition of AI company Manus, demonstrating that China has a broader range of response plans.
However, Mazur points out that many measures, including diversification of energy imports, promotion of electrification, and technological self-reliance, began before Trump's second term.
He emphasizes, "Even if this Trump-Xi summit goes extremely smoothly, it will not change China's direction. Whatever happens, Beijing will continue to push for the 'de-Americanization' of the Chinese economy."
● China's cautious confidence?
Li points out that Beijing will enter negotiations with "cautious confidence." China believes it is now more resilient to pressure, and compared to Trump, who faces midterm election pressure, Beijing is better at "fighting a protracted war."
Russian President Vladimir Putin is also expected to visit Beijing. Mazur told Agence France-Presse that if U.S. and Russian leaders visit China consecutively, it will send a message: "Even if (Xi Jinping's) summit with Trump goes smoothly, it does not necessarily mean that China's support for Russia will change." (Edited by Liu Shu-Chin) 1150508
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(Central News Agency, Beijing, 8th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) U.S. President Trump is scheduled to visit China from May 14th to 15th, and is expected to hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump's visit was previously postponed due to the Iran conflict. Below are the key points of observation for the Trump-Xi summit scheduled for next week, compiled by Agence France-Presse.
● What does China want?
Analysts point out that, besides diplomatic courtesies, Beijing will seek small-scale and concrete results in closed-door meetings; however, given Trump's unpredictable nature, China will maintain a "realistic and pragmatic" attitude.
Benjamin Ho, a scholar at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, notes that China hopes for a broad reset in bilateral relations but understands this is unlikely.
Previously, the U.S. and China were embroiled in an intense trade war, with U.S. tariffs on many Chinese goods reaching an astonishing 145%. Retaliatory actions by both sides cooled down after Trump and Xi Jinping reached a one-year truce agreement last October. Experts point out that the primary goal for Beijing at this Trump-Xi summit will be to extend the truce agreement.
"What China needs is for Trump to fulfill his engagement promises and achieve at least a few concrete results in top-level discussions," said Yue Su, an analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
She believes Beijing would be satisfied if it could obtain results such as "targeted" tariff reductions, as this would give China reason to moderately lower its own tariffs or relax export restrictions.
● What is the impact of the Iran conflict?
Experts believe the Trump-Xi summit will be difficult to avoid the Iran issue, but "this is not an area China wants to delve into deeply."
Lizzi Lee, a scholar at the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI), points out that "the U.S. has already begun to pressure China before the summit, targeting Beijing's economic ties with Tehran."
Trump warned last month that if China provided military aid to Iran, the U.S. would impose 50% tariffs on Chinese goods.
Beijing is a close partner of Tehran, having called U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran illegal, but at the same time has criticized Iran's attacks on Gulf states and called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Su believes China will not accept U.S. pressure to take action against Iran or Russia, as Beijing has influence over these two countries but not "decisive control."
China will also strive to prevent "unnecessary complications," avoiding new U.S. tariffs due to its trade with Iran.
● What are China's bargaining chips?
One of China's key bargaining chips is rare earths, which are crucial for manufacturing products from smartphones to electric vehicles. China's dominant position in the rare earth industry is the result of decades of effort.
Su points out that rare earths remain Beijing's most powerful tool if it wants to pressure Washington for substantial concessions.
Joe Mazur, a geopolitical analyst at Trivium China in Beijing, notes that Trump has shown he "cares very much" about rare earths.
Mazur believes Beijing will prepare some "quick wins" before Trump's visit, possibly including expanded purchases of U.S. agricultural products or Boeing aircraft. He suggests Beijing might hope this puts Trump and his team in a positive mindset when discussing more complex, thorny issues.
● How is Beijing preparing?
Li analyzes that China has diversified trade towards Southeast Asia and the "Global South" and strengthened regional ties to avoid instability brought by Trump.
Furthermore, Beijing has strengthened legal and regulatory tools, such as recently blocking tech giant Meta's acquisition of AI company Manus, demonstrating that China has a broader range of response plans.
However, Mazur points out that many measures, including diversification of energy imports, promotion of electrification, and technological self-reliance, began before Trump's second term.
He emphasizes, "Even if this Trump-Xi summit goes extremely smoothly, it will not change China's direction. Whatever happens, Beijing will continue to push for the 'de-Americanization' of the Chinese economy."
● China's cautious confidence?
Li points out that Beijing will enter negotiations with "cautious confidence." China believes it is now more resilient to pressure, and compared to Trump, who faces midterm election pressure, Beijing is better at "fighting a protracted war."
Russian President Vladimir Putin is also expected to visit Beijing. Mazur told Agence France-Presse that if U.S. and Russian leaders visit China consecutively, it will send a message: "Even if (Xi Jinping's) summit with Trump goes smoothly, it does not necessarily mean that China's support for Russia will change." (Edited by Liu Shu-Chin) 1150508
Stand with the facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.