Trump’s 3-day visit—what interesting developments might emerge from it?-by Harold Gunatillake
Both China and the United States will see the Trump–Xi summit as a chance to manage tensions and find common ground carefully.
It’s probably going to be a while before we see a big political reset. In the meantime, each side is likely to focus on small, strategic wins that accumulate over time.
China, Russia, and Iran are teaming up in what some are calling an “Axis of Evasion,” as they work closely through shared supply chains to navigate around Western sanctions. This shows their strong cooperation and determination to protect their interests, even in challenging times.
Through these dual-use technology supply chains, Iran can develop drones, navigation systems, and other military capabilities.
Trump’s arrival in Beijing for an important two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping is a historic milestone, as it’s the first
visit by a U.S. leader to China since 2017. Planned from May 13 to 15, 2026, this visit takes place amidst a period of tension, with ongoing geopolitical challenges, economic battles, and conflicts involving Iran.
A Warm Welcome Amid Tensions
Trump was warmly greeted at Beijing Capital International Airport by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, underscoring the importance China places on this visit. The welcoming scene included a red carpet, a military band, and enthusiastic young people waving flags—friendly gestures amidst lingering mistrust and economic concerns.
This trip marks Trump’s first in nine years and only his second face- to-face meeting with Xi since returning to the White House. The main goal of the summit is to work towards stabilising relations rather than resolving deep-rooted disputes.
Main Topics Covered
- The Iran Conflict
Iran’s situation is likely to be a main highlight. Trump looks forward to a detailed discussion with Xi about the war, noting that the U.S. doesn’t necessarily rely on China’s assistance. The U.S. hopes China will support efforts to encourage Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital to global oil trade. Since China is heavily reliant on Middle Eastern oil, it has good reasons to want the strait reopened, but it might also ask for concessions, particularly regarding Taiwan.
2. Trade and Economic Ties
Trade tensions are still ongoing, but there’s hope for progress. Discussions are expected to focus on extending the current trade truce, encouraging more Chinese purchases of U.S. products, such as Boeing aircraft and agricultural goods, and working toward resolving disagreements over technology and export controls.
As of May 2026, Chinese buyers are mainly focusing on U.S. products like soybeans, worth over $18.5 billion, and energy products such as oil and gas, worth over $17.6 billion. Although
U.S. exports to China decreased by more than 25% in 2025 to
$106.3 billion, recent talks hint at renewed interest in purchasing soybeans and possibly expanding deals for corn and aircraft.
With China’s economy slowing, there’s pressure to make progress, but ongoing structural rivalry suggests breakthroughs might be challenging.
- Taiwan
Taiwan remains a sensitive issue. China will probably press for less
U.S. political and military support, while the U.S. will emphasise maintaining stability and deterrence in the Taiwan Strait. Some analysts suggest China might tie cooperation on Iran to concessions from the U.S. regarding Taiwan.
Global Impact of the Summit
This summit is attracting worldwide attention. Trump is accompanied by prominent U.S. business leaders, including Elon Musk and Jensen Huang, underscoring the importance of economic interests. The leaders will meet several times, participate in a tea ceremony, and have a working lunch before Trump departs on May 15.
Although expectations for major agreements are modest, this visit is a key opportunity to see whether the world’s two biggest economies can avoid further worsening their rivalry. An analyst described their relationship as “stable but shallow and fragile”— this summit could be crucial in maintaining that fragile peace.
Please keep an eye on reliable news sources for updates, as geopolitics can change quickly and unexpectedly. rapidly. an evolution that occurs rapidly.
