US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are due to meet in Washington on 24 September. Reuters suggests that the most likely practical outcome of the talks is an extension of the trade truce, which is due to expire in November. The parties will also raise sensitive issues such as Taiwan, artificial intelligence, critical materials and Iran.
Briefly about the main points
- The Trump–Xi summit is scheduled to take place in Washington on 24 September.
- The trade truce between the US and China remains in place until November.
- Analysts surveyed by Reuters do not expect the talks to yield a major breakthrough.
- China is arriving at the summit on the back of strong export figures.
- Taiwan, AI and Iran are among the most complex topics.
Xi’s visit will last three days, and expectations for the summit are modest
Xi Jinping will be in the United States from 23 to 25 September. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the leaders will discuss bilateral relations and international issues.
This will be their first face-to-face meeting meeting in about four months. According to Reuters, analysts are not expecting a major breakthrough, and the White House is also trying not to raise expectations regarding the talks.
Trade sets the tone for negotiations between the world’s two largest economies
In 2025, the trade dispute escalated sharply: at certain stages, tariffs on both sides reached 125%. Subsequently, Washington and Beijing agreed to a pause and partially reduced the tariffs.
China is approaching these talks against a backdrop of strong foreign trade figures. Its global trade surplus in 2026 is set to exceed $1 trillion for the second year running. More than half of the approximately 6,500 categories of Chinese goods exported to the US this year have seen an increase in volume compared with 2025.
Washington had proposed a separate arrangement for reducing tariffs on certain non-strategic goods. On the eve of the summit, the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and the Deputy Prime Minister of China He Lifeng held talks in New York.
The stance on Taiwan is causing concern amongst the US’s allies in Asia
Reuters reports that the US’s allies in Asia are concerned that Washington’s policy on Taiwan might be linked to economic agreements with Beijing. This is a concern held by the allies, not an announced plan by the US administration.
Trump had previously described the US package that had been drawn up as weapons for Taiwan worth $14 billion, serving as a «bargaining chip». As of 19 September, its approval had been delayed.
Beijing regards Taiwan as part of China, whilst the island has its own democratically elected government. The US supports its defence capabilities, but has not publicly given a clear answer as to what military response it would take in the event of a conflict.
AI, critical materials and commercial interests will be on the agenda
Bessent and He Lifen also discussed critical minerals and artificial intelligence. The US has proposed a mechanism whereby both countries will inform each other of serious AI incidents, relating to national security, critical infrastructure or cyber threats.
The talks cover the supply of rare-earth and critical materials, access for US companies to the Chinese market, as well as possible additional purchases by Beijing of US agricultural products and Boeing aircraft. A Chinese business delegation is due to arrive in Washington alongside Xi.
Washington is seeking to enlist Beijing’s support in putting pressure on Iran
The US administration wants China to use its influence over Iran against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict. In Washington, Beijing is regarded as one of the few states with significant economic leverage over Tehran.
At the same time, analysts surveyed by Reuters see no signs that Xi is prepared to engage in a major economic standoff with Iran for the sake of the US. In their view, the summit is more likely to prevent a further deterioration in bilateral relations than to lead to a wide-ranging agreement.
