Center4 min read
Trump-Xi Summit in Beijing Expected to Focus on Iran War Over Trade and Tariffs
Primary region US
Tags Diplomacy · Trade · Economy
Regions US · China
CNBC · Reuters · Washington Post·
Primary region US
Tags Diplomacy · Trade · Economy
Regions US · China
The May 14-15 summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing is expected to be dominated by the Iran war rather than bilateral trade issues, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and multiple sources briefed on preparations. China hosted Iran's foreign minister for the first time since the war began in late February, raising hopes for a peace deal. The White House invited a scaled-back CEO delegation of around a dozen executives, compared to 29 who accompanied Trump in 2017, reflecting divisions within the administration over economic policy toward China. China's April exports rose 14.1% year-on-year despite the Iran conflict and US tariffs. Beijing is seeking a one-year extension of the October trade truce, while Washington wants six months. Trump is expected to discuss Chinese purchases of US soybeans and Boeing aircraft.
The Iran war's dominance at the Trump-Xi summit reflects how the Middle East conflict has become inseparable from great-power bargaining. China's hosting of Iran's foreign minister signals Beijing's potential role as a peace broker, which it may leverage to extract concessions on trade, Taiwan, or technology controls. The smaller US CEO delegation suggests the administration is deliberately lowering economic expectations, possibly to avoid the appearance of American businesses lobbying for access to Beijing. China's 14.1% export growth despite tariffs demonstrates the limited effectiveness of US trade pressure, strengthening Xi's negotiating position.