- Trump and Xi meet amid AI race and complex global issues.
- Key agendas include Taiwan, trade truce, Iran war, and seismologist release.
- Meeting marks significant milestone in US-China bilateral relationship.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to meet his US counterpart Donald Trump on Wednesday for the second time in a year. The two leaders are set to meet amid ongoing efforts by the two countries to advance the artificial intelligence race.
The three-day visit is also the first state visit by the Chinese President in over a decade. The White House stated that Xi's visit marks a significant milestone in the relationship between the two countries.
Ahead of the talks, Trump told the media that he will discuss "almost everything" with Jinping.
What's on the agenda?
Taiwan: The Taiwan question has always remained a flashpoint between the two countries when it comes to their bilateral relations. The two countries saw a thaw on the matter during Trump's Beijing visit this year when, under China's pressure, Washington paused the sale of a $14 billion package of arms. However, Taipei has expressed confidence that the flow of arms would continue.
During the Maryland talks on Wednesday, Jinping is expected to forcefully raise Beijing's claim to the island. According to a report by Reuters, citing people familiar with the matter, the US President would prefer to avoid the discussion on Taiwan.
Discussion to extend trade truce: In October last year, the two countries reached a truce to end a months-long trade war. It started with Trump's February 2025 10% duty on Chinese goods over fentanyl and immigration concerns. China had retaliated with levies on US goods like LNG, crude oil, autos and a curb on five metals crucial to defence and clean energy.
After eight months of trade war, a truce was struck that is set to end in November. China would be looking for a consensus to do away with tariffs, which the US might not be keen to consider as it acts as leverage for Washington over the Chinese economy.
Iran war: From the outset, Trump has acted to isolate Iran and choke its revenue to weaken its war capabilities. As China remains a key economic partner to Iran, there have been calls for Beijing to exert its influence on Tehran. However, China seemed less inclined to do so. Besides, the war has sent crude oil prices to a significant high. Chinese president may push for the need to stabilise the oil market.
ALSO READ: US-China Nearly Got Engaged In War Due To 'False' AI Intel Report; How It Was Averted
US seismologist's release: Trump is also expected to raise a demand for the release of a US seismologist, who was arrested in China in 2024. His wife, Yufang Rong, on Tuesday said that the White House has assured her that the case would be brought up in the talks.
Reuters report cited Rong saying that Youlin Chen could face fabricated espionage charges. Rong added that Chen had conducted US-funded research on North Korea using publicly available data.
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