As US President Donald Trump landed back in Washington on Friday after his two-day summit in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a quick US assessment on one of the most consequential diplomatic visits of Trump’s presidency was: impressive optics, trademark flawless Chinese hosting, but disappointing concrete achievements, according to analysts, industry trade groups and former US officials.
“The economic deliverables coming out of the Trump-Xi meeting are way below expectations. In light of the priority Trump puts on the economic-trade leg of the bilateral relationship, it’s disappointing that more wasn’t accomplished,” said Wendy Cutler, a former acting deputy US Trade Representative, whose experience tussling with China extends back to its 2001 accession into the World Trade Organization.
But years of spiralling US-China tension do not disappear in 48 hours, even if the US president is not distracted by a war that contributed to sub-par US preparation, prompting analysts to hedge, adding that they would suspend full judgment until more details emerge in the coming days and weeks.
Among the unseens and unknowns included word on the frequently teased Board of Trade, Board of Investment and mega Chinese sales of soy and other US farm products; Chinese confirmation of a 200-aircraft Boeing purchase deal, itself below expectations; any extension of the trade truce; and any progress on a slew of business and market opening deals.
Adding to this long list were any meeting of minds on AI, nuclear weapons, tariffs, export controls, semiconductors, rare earths and tensions around Taiwan and the South China Sea.
01:56
‘A milestone visit’: Xi and Trump set sights on stability for China-US relations
