US President Donald Trump is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing at the end of March. Analysts believe that, ahead of this highly anticipated state visit, China remains uncertain about the aims of the US leader, while the impact of the Iran war also casts a shadow over this meeting.
Trump's visit to China is scheduled from March 31 to April 2. This trip marks his first visit to China in his second term, and aims to consolidate the trade war truce agreement reached when the two leaders shook hands during their summit in South Korea last October.
Trump’s Impulsive and Unpredictable Style
AFP reported on the 14th that for Beijing, which traditionally likes to meticulously arrange major diplomatic activities and avoid any embarrassing situations, Trump’s impulsive and unpredictable style presents challenges.
A source familiar with the negotiations told AFP that Chinese officials originally expected that a summit involving the leaders of two superpowers would be prepared on a more grand and elaborate scale.
The White House stated that preparations for the visit are progressing smoothly. The itinerary for March 31 to April 2 is moving forward as planned, with regular contact and interaction maintained between the US and Chinese sides.
A White House official told AFP, “Unlike the Biden administration, which focused more on performance over substance and used automatic signature pens, the Trump administration is very composed in its itinerary planning—be it in logistics or in the implementation of results.” The official was referring to previous accusations that former President Biden used automated devices to sign documents.
The official said, “President Trump looks forward to visiting China, and he and President Xi Jinping will discuss a series of topics crucial to the world’s two largest economies.”
He added that Trump is “determined to create a fair competitive environment for American farmers, manufacturers, and working families.”
However, business leaders are concerned that, as of earlier this week, invitations had not yet been extended to include corporate representatives in the US delegation. Craig Allen, president of the US-China Business Council, said on the 10th: “It’s hard to imagine that the President would not want to have a robust delegation.”
Scott Kennedy, an expert from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), believes that while the two sides may have discussed the itinerary and arrangements, little progress has been made on “substantial issues.” He warned that if business leaders become involved too late, this visit may struggle to achieve concrete results.
The report pointed out that the biggest cloud hanging over this visit may well be the Middle East war.
Ho Chi-en, assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, told AFP: “If this war continues into April, then it will become the main topic for discussion at the Xi-Trump meeting.”
China has condemned the US-Israeli strikes against Iran. These attacks came at a sensitive period for the world’s second-largest economy’s energy imports, impacting its oil supply.
However, Beijing has so far avoided taking substantive actions to help its long-term ally Tehran and has not directly confronted Washington.