Dear Focus Reader,

This week, Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met in Beijing for their first in-person summit since their October 2025 meeting in Busan, South Korea, in a closely watched effort to stabilize an increasingly complex U.S.–China relationship. The meetings were described by both sides as constructive, though no major agreements were announced on tariffs, export controls, Iran, or Taiwan.

Trump described the talks as "extremely positive and productive," pointing to prospective commercial agreements, particularly in agriculture and broader trade flows. However, these outcomes have not yet been formally confirmed by Chinese authorities. Meanwhile, Xi emphasized that China and the United States should be "partners rather than rivals."

Trade and economic issues remained central to the discussions, including market access, supply chains, and ongoing tensions over technology restrictions and critical minerals. The visit also included a high-profile meeting with senior executives from major U.S. companies, including Tesla, Nvidia, Boeing, Apple, and others, highlighting the continued role of business engagement even amid strategic competition.

On Taiwan, both sides reiterated their long-standing positions, though in an interview following the meeting, Trump cautioned Taiwan against formally declaring independence from China. Xi also referenced the "Thucydides Trap," a concept coined by Harvard University Professor Graham Allison, warning of the risks of structural rivalry between rising and established powers. Iran and broader Middle East instability were also discussed; Trump said the two sides had "very similar" views on preventing escalation and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, but there were no public commitments on coordination or policy alignment.

Attention will now turn to whether this engagement leads to more structured follow-up in the weeks ahead, and the lead-up to Xi's recently announced visit to the United States in late September.

Learn more on international relations by exploring our latest Focus content, including topics on diplomacy, artificial intelligence cooperation, and more.