US President Donald Trump will reportedly greet China’s leader Xi Jinping as he steps off the plane in Washington, DC next week — the first leader accorded that deference in Trump’s second term — as preparations ramp up for their summit.
The countries’ top diplomats spoke Thursday, possibly to finalize an agenda that will center on trade issues, AI governance, and defense ties. Though Washington signaled openness to discussing “shared risks” on AI, experts have rejected the possibility of major breakthroughs.
Other discussions may involve strengthening military-to-military ties, as well as resuming arms-control talks halted in 2024 over US weapons sales to Taiwan. Asian allies are concerned that Trump could soften US support for Taiwan in exchange for economic concessions.