US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping drank tea at the White House on Friday and visited the National Archives, concluding a three-day summit in which personal diplomacy overshadowed major achievements in economic relations.
The two leaders praised each other in comments they made over tea in the White House's "Red Room." Trump said that the summit between the two largest economies in the world accomplished big things, adding: “I think our farmers will be happy,” but he did not provide details.
He explained: “America is very happy with this visit, and I am sure that China is very happy as well.” Xi said that the relationship between the United States and China has developed into a constructive relationship characterized by “strategic stability based on respect, fairness and reciprocity.” Xi added that he and Trump will have two more opportunities to meet this year, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China and the G20 summit in Miami. He said: “I welcome your visit to China, Mr. President and First Lady.”
The summit was characterized by luxury and included air shows, tours, and a luxurious official dinner, but it was dazzling in form and poor in content, according to what Reuters reported. However, Trump highlighted progress made under the bilateral trade mechanism, citing what he described as increased market access for American farmers and ranchers, while the two leaders identified artificial intelligence as an area for cooperation.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNN: that. with me. CNN, on Friday, said that details of the limited agreements reached by the two sides regarding their tense trade relations will be published on Monday. He added: “We are in a regulated trade situation... We have made progress, and I believe that on Monday, we will announce more details about what we have accomplished over the past few weeks in negotiations with the Chinese.” Greer went on to say that the United States has agreed with China to exclude certain essential goods from trade disputes, including exports to China of agricultural products and medical devices, and imports of consumer goods and non-sensitive goods.
The summit concluded at the US National Archives, and Trump and Xi appeared to review the US Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Trump said in a speech on Thursday to welcome Xi that they would also see “artifacts that testify to the long and cherished relationship” between China and the United States and “cultural exchanges” between them. Trump said: “Just as our ancestors reached across the ocean centuries ago to trade, learn, and build a better world, our two countries are already doing the same, and we are very proud of that and of the relationship between us.” China has not commented on the archive visit, but analysts say Xi may have been keen to see records relating to the US transfer of recognition from Taiwan to communist China in 1979.
In response to a question, Trump said that he discussed Iran with Xi, adding: “I think we will achieve great results,” without providing further details. Beijing denies US allegations of helping Iran's leaders in the conflict that Trump started in February.
China considers Taiwan, which has a democratic system of government, part of its territory, and Xi has long sought to convince Trump to declare that the United States opposes Taiwan independence, rather than simply saying that it does not support independence, which has been Washington's official position for decades. He is also keen to get the United States to stop arms sales to the island. As expected, Xi pressed Trump on Taiwan on Thursday, saying he hoped the United States would “handle the Taiwan issue wisely.” China's official Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi "hopes that the American side will adhere to the correct position of opposing (Taiwan independence)."
Although the United States, like most countries, does not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Washington is its most important international supporter, and is obligated, under American law, to provide it with the necessary means to defend itself. Washington's allies in Asia will be closely watching how Trump speaks about Taiwan after Xi's visit. After a summit with Xi in May, Trump, whose administration in December approved an arms deal with Taiwan worth $11 billion, said he had suspended a second deal, worth about $14 billion, describing it as “a very good negotiating chip.”
Craig Singleton of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said Beijing may believe it has established a new foundation on Taiwan with Trump. He added that Xi's use of the word "commitment" was revealing because it "indicates that Beijing believes Washington is already behaving the way it wants." He continued, "With the current halt in arms sales to Taiwan, China may increasingly view this as a new basis rather than just a temporary pause." He explained: “Beijing’s goal is to get Trump to include Chinese red lines in his own definition of a stable relationship.”
Senate Democrats criticized the summit on Thursday, saying Trump failed to obtain significant concessions from Beijing on trade, security, artificial intelligence or human rights. They also criticized Trump for not publicly addressing Chinese military pressure on Taiwan, and called for the immediate delivery of approved military aid and arms sales to the island.
