Trump and Xi Jinping meet for a state visit: AI, tariffs and Taiwan in focus

When Donald Trump talks about Xi Jinping, it almost always sounds positive: "We get along well, things are going very well for us with China, President Xi and I have a good relationship," the US President emphasized shortly before the start of this state visit.

The arrival of Xi Jinping already showed how important this summit is to Trump. Trump personally greeted Xi on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews near Washington.

"This is extremely unusual," says Edgard Kagan of the Center for Strategic and International Studies CSIS in Washington. Normally, the US President only greets a state guest when he or she arrives at the White House.

For a good two days, Trump offers almost everything that is possible in terms of symbolic appreciation, including a large state banquet.

The list of conflict issues is long

One of many conflict issues on the agenda for the presidents of the two most powerful countries in the world is artificial intelligence. CSIS expert Kagan believes that a quick agreement on common rules is unlikely: "China is extremely sensitive because of the suspicion that everything that comes to the table when it comes to AI is intended to secure the US's development lead."

What could be decided, according to Kagan, is “a kind of hotline for information exchange,” for example in the event that AI causes problems in the military sector.

A small signal of approach

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a result on the conflict issue of tariffs at the start of the state visit. The current "customs truce", which states that neither side will impose new tariffs for the time being, is to be extended - but only by two months. This is a disappointment for the Chinese side, which, according to media reports, had hoped for a two-year extension.

Avoid new tensions

The fact that rapprochement between Beijing and Washington remains difficult is especially true for current wars and possible future conflicts.

"I think the US president will discuss Iran," says Kagan. Will China help the USA out of trouble? Hardly, is the answer. “Xi, on the other hand, will talk about Taiwan,” said the CSIS expert. China claims the island for itself, Taiwan hopes for further arms deliveries from the USA.

Major breakthroughs are not expected on any of these issues; it is more about avoiding new tensions, says China expert Rana Mitter from Harvard University. When it comes to Taiwan, he is hoping for a "phase of détente" like the one that existed between Washington and Moscow during the Cold War 60 years ago.

Trump more under pressure?

And who is under more pressure to succeed at this summit? “Trump,” says historian Mitter. Xi can wait and see that his power appears to be consolidated.

Trump - even in low polls - urgently needs at least small progress such as a new trade deal: "For China to continue supplying rare earths, or to buy more agricultural products from the USA, such as soybeans, that are grown in the areas that vote Republican in the congressional midterm elections. That would suit Trump well."