Taiwan at the heart of tensions. During the opening of their summit in Beijing, Xi Jinping warned Donald Trump of the risk of a “conflict” between China and the United States if Washington mishandles this issue, AFP reports. “The Taiwan issue is the most important in Sino-American relations. If handled well, relations between the two countries (China and the United States) can remain generally stable. If handled poorly, the two countries will clash, even lead to conflict,” declared the Chinese president. Beijing considers Taiwan a Chinese province and does not rule out the use of force to achieve reunification.
Faced with this warning, US policy remains unchanged for now: military support to Taiwan, without official recognition of its independence. “The US side has repeatedly reaffirmed its clear and firm support for Taiwan,” commented Taiwan government spokesperson Michelle Lee. The Taiwan issue thus crystallizes tensions between the two powers, in a context marked by disagreements on trade, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and access to rare earths.
“US-China relations will be better than ever”
Despite these differences, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump displayed a certain cordiality in front of the cameras. Welcomed with honors at the Great Hall of the People, on Tiananmen Square decorated in the colors of both countries, the US president received a particularly solemn welcome. Donald Trump expressed his “honour to be (on) his counterpart’s side” and “the honour to be his friend,” before assuring: “US-China relations will be better than ever. We will have a fabulous future together.”
Economically, Xi Jinping tried to send signals of openness to American companies. “The door of China’s opening will continue to open wider,” he declared to several American business leaders. Washington hopes to obtain agricultural agreements, new Chinese investments in the US, and a major order of Boeing aircraft. The two countries are primarily seeking to preserve a form of constructive strategic stability after their violent trade war of 2025, marked by massive tariffs and numerous restrictions.
The summit will also address several sensitive international issues. Xi Jinping emphasized the need for the two powers to be “partners, not rivals.” Discussions focused on the Middle East, Ukraine, and the Korean Peninsula. Donald Trump particularly wants to convince Beijing to use its influence to open the Strait of Hormuz. China is the main buyer of Iranian oil.
