Ahead of Trump's Visit, Chinese Scholar Wu Xinbo: Trump Has Many Requests for China

Ahead of US President Trump's state visit to China, Professor Wu Xinbo, Dean of the Institute of International Studies and Director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, stated that the US prioritizes economic and trade issues, while China's primary concern is the Taiwan issue. Wu pointed out that Trump is seeking China's cooperation on many matters.

According to Shangguan News, Wu Xinbo said in an interview that compared to nine years ago, significant changes have occurred in both China and the US, as well as in their bilateral relations. Trump needs China's cooperation on many issues. Firstly, the US urgently needs China to make large-scale purchases of American agricultural and energy products, which directly impacts the Republican Party's votes in the midterm elections. Secondly, the US seeks China's support and assistance in international and regional affairs such as the US-Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine war. Thirdly, the visit to China will help enhance Trump's political prestige and his approval ratings, which are at historical lows.

It is expected that the leaders of the two countries will discuss a wide range of issues, including economy and trade, high technology, and geopolitics. Wu Xinbo stated that the US side prioritizes economic and trade issues, but both sides have their own demands. The US hopes China will sign large procurement orders, continue exporting rare earths, and cooperate on the fentanyl issue. China, on the other hand, demands that the US cancel additional tariffs on China, relax export restrictions, lift sanctions on over a thousand Chinese entities, and ease two-way investment restrictions.

Wu Xinbo emphasized that the Taiwan issue is China's top priority and has always been a point of friction and risk in US-China relations. During Trump's visit to China, China will demand that the US stop arms sales to Taiwan and explicitly oppose 'Taiwan independence.'

Regarding the US-Iran war, Wu Xinbo believes that China consistently advocates for peace talks and is concerned about the free and safe navigation of the Strait of Hormuz. However, China will not exert unilateral pressure on Iran as requested by the US, but will play a constructive role based on a fair and objective stance.

Wu Xinbo anticipates progress in economic and trade matters and mechanism building between China and the US. In the economic and trade sphere, multiple rounds of negotiations have taken place, with room for cooperation and the potential to finalize some cooperation agreements, allowing each side to achieve some of its objectives. In terms of mechanism building, the establishment of working mechanisms such as the China-US Trade Committee and Investment Committee is expected, along with the resumption of dialogue mechanisms in areas such as the military, people-to-people exchanges, and foreign policy.

Wu Xinbo believes that the upcoming summit between the Chinese and US heads of state holds threefold significance and impact for US-China relations. First, it will consolidate the outcomes of the US-China summit in October last year, enhancing the stability and predictability of bilateral relations. Second, it will promote the achievement of important consensus on key issues such as Taiwan and economy and trade. Third, it will lay the groundwork and plan for the development of US-China relations in the next phase.

Wu Xinbo expressed hope that China-US relations will develop steadily this year, maintaining the relatively stable state since the Busan Summit in October last year and avoiding intense confrontation. Through head-of-state diplomacy, high-level exchanges, and dialogue and contact at all levels, both sides can be encouraged to resolve issues, manage differences, and expand areas of cooperation. (Edited by Chen Kai-yu / Chou Hui-ying) 1150512