Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the US had a clear objective: China believes the US is trying to curb its rise to global superpower status and wants Washington to stay out of its way; however, the warm welcome did not yield the hoped-for results, reports the BBC.
The trade truce, which had briefly halted the mutual imposition of tariffs, has been extended by only a few months—from November to January. Beijing had hoped for an extension of at least a year while Xi attempts to navigate the remainder of US President Donald Trump’s second term in office. This short extension means another round of discussions lies ahead regarding tariffs, China’s access to advanced US microchips, and China’s dominance in the rare-earth metals market. It appears the US wants China to do more before offering a long-term agreement.
The uncomfortable truth for Xi is that the domestic economy is in a difficult situation. Although the country is exporting record volumes of goods, domestic consumers remain cautious. The youth unemployment rate remains stubbornly high, and real estate prices in China—where 80% of the population owns their own home—are in decline. Growth is driven by trade, making access to foreign markets more crucial than ever. Xi needs to shield exports from the kind of staggering tariffs imposed by the US last year.
Regarding Taiwan, Xi reiterated that US arms sales to the island represent an inviolable red line for China. Meanwhile, US law mandates providing defense support to Taiwan. In May, Xi warned Trump that mishandling the issue could lead to a clash of views and even trigger a conflict between the two nations. At the time, Trump had delayed approving the 14 billion dollar arms sale, describing it as a valuable bargaining chip in negotiations with Beijing. Xi seized this opportunity, likely arguing that halting support for Taiwan would reduce the risk of conflict. On the 24th of September,
he reiterated his hope that the US would adopt the correct stance and oppose Taiwanese independence.
Meanwhile, Trump—facing pressure from both Democrats and Republicans—has not yet publicly commented on the Chinese leader’s statements.
The two leaders did, however, discuss artificial intelligence, though it remains unclear whether they agreed on any specific safety measures. There was anticipation regarding whether they would reach concrete decisions on AI—such as agreeing to hold a summit—but beyond Xi’s remark that AI must remain under human control, the talks yielded little else. Trump has previously dismissed warnings about the threats AI poses to humanity as mere fabrications.
The conclusion of the visit on the 25th of September might bring further developments, but for now, Xi’s primary gain is the impression created. The lavish welcome, the personal greeting at the airport, and the formal state dinner convey the impression that Trump views Xi as an equal leader. Xi has found a way to deal with one of the world’s most unpredictable leaders; yet, while Trump speaks of a “great friendship,” the Chinese leader’s goal is far grander: to secure his country’s status as a superpower alongside the United States. Pandas gifted to Zoo Atlanta, grand gestures, and warm rhetoric can smooth over relations. Yet, behind this facade of goodwill lies a rivalry between the world’s most powerful nations that is as fierce as ever.
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