Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, the first by a US president in nearly a decade, has concluded with grand statements but scant details on concrete outcomes. Trump claimed he and Chinese leader Xi Jinping “settled a lot of different problems”, but failed to specify what these were. Analysts have described the meeting as a “stalemate summit” with little shift in the core US-China relationship.
On Iran, Trump said the two leaders discussed the crisis and felt similarly about preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and keeping the straits open. However, China has not elaborated on further support, with the foreign ministry reiterating its call for peace. Trump also hinted at lifting sanctions on Chinese companies purchasing Iranian oil, with a decision expected soon.
Regarding Taiwan, Trump refrained from making any commitment to Xi, despite Xi warning that Taiwan is the “most important” issue. Observers had anticipated no major policy shift, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted there was no change. Trump is still considering a record $14bn arms package for Taiwan, which Beijing opposes.
On trade, Trump boasted of “fantastic trade deals”, though specifics remain unclear. The US trade representative expects China to buy billions of dollars in US farm goods over three years, but China has not confirmed. China agreed to purchase 200 Boeing jets, a figure Trump suggested could rise to 750. No comprehensive trade deal was reached, and a truce on tariffs is set to expire in November.
China has been slow to approve export licenses for rare earths, critical minerals restricted last year. US officials have had to intervene on behalf of affected companies, despite a commitment to restore flows in October.
