Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are meeting on Thursday in Beijing for a U.S.-China summit where few breakthroughs are expected on divisive issues ranging from the Iran war, trade, technology and Taiwan.
Trump hopes to focus talks on trade and deals for China to buy more agricultural products and passenger planes, setting up a board to address their differences and avoid a repeat of the trade war ignited last year after Trump’s tariff hikes.
Xi will likely bring up America’s decision to sell weapons to Taiwan, a self-governed island that Beijing claims as its own territory. Trump in December authorized an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, but has not yet moved forward with delivery.
Stability in the relationship is the main goal of the two-day summit. Trump is expected to leave just after midday Friday after a final private meeting with Xi.
The war with Iran is also likely to be a key topic. Ahead of the meetings, Trump hoped China would use its considerable leverage to prod Iran to agree to U.S. terms to end the two-month old war or reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz, but he has tempered those calls ahead of the summit.
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The president arrived in Beijing late on Wednesday. On Thursday, the summit begins in earnest.
China's Xi will officially welcome Trump during a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, followed by bilateral talks.
Then there’s some cultural programming — a visit to the Temple of Heaven — before a state banquet capping the day.
This trip is expected to be long on pageantry and symbolism but neither side has yet offered concrete details on what Trump will come away with.
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