Trump Visits China Again: This China-US Leaders Meeting, First Seeking Stability, Then Discussing Transactions
This meeting is neither about the sudden “thaw” of Sino-US relations, nor is it about one side completely overpowering the other. Rather, it appears to be a mandatory recalibration conducted under heightened pressure.
If you only look at the surface, you see welcome ceremonies, state banquets, the Temple of Heaven, and corporate delegations—it is very spectacular. But if you lay out the timeline, what this meeting truly needs to address are four tougher matters: how to maintain the trade and economic ceasefire left over from the Busan talks last October; how to manage the risks concerning Taiwan; how to mitigate losses stemming from the spillovers of the Iran conflict; and whether, under their respective domestic political pressures, both sides can first stabilize relations and avoid continued decline.
In other words, this Beijing meeting first and foremost aimed at “preventing a loss of control,” with “making deals” being secondary.