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ASIA, BEIJING, BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND STRATEGY, CHINA, DA WEI, DAVID PIERSON, GEOPOLITICS, MEXICO, NATIONAL SECURITY, NORTH AMERICA, POLITICS, STATE DEPARTMENT, TRUMP, TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, U. S, UNITED STATES, US-CHINA RELATIONS, WASHINGTON, XI JINPING
Omar El-Sharif
Speculation Grows Over Potential Xi-Trump Summit Amid Ongoing Trade Tensions
President Trump has suggested a possible summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but details remain unclear as China seeks to understand his intentions. The stakes include existing tariffs and the need to avoid further trade war escalations. Unofficial diplomatic talks in the U.S. are ongoing, aimed at clarifying communication channels.
Recent remarks from President Donald Trump regarding a potential meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping have stirred speculation. Trump indicated that the U.S. must be “cleaned up” before a summit could occur in the near future. No further details were provided, and China has not publicly commented on the possibility of such a meeting.
The potential stakes of a summit are significant, as Trump has imposed 20 percent tariffs on Chinese imports, with additional tariffs potentially looming on the horizon. Experts note that China is eager to prevent further escalation of the trade war, which could hinder its economic recovery efforts.
Nonetheless, China faces uncertainty before any meeting can evolve due to two critical questions: What are Trump’s actual intentions, and who in Washington can effectively communicate with him? To address these concerns, Chinese scholars recently participated in unofficial diplomatic discussions in the United States with members of the Trump administration.
Da Wei, the director of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the existing diplomatic channels, questioning whether those in contact with Beijing truly understand Trump’s perspective. China’s interest in dialogues has also been made public, with officials indicating an eagerness to engage in discussions with their U.S. counterparts about trade and issues like fentanyl production.
In conclusion, while President Trump’s hints at meeting with President Xi imply a potential thaw in U.S.-China relations, significant communication barriers remain. China is seeking clarity on America’s objectives and accessible channels to convey its messages. As the stakes for both nations remain high, the urgency for dialogue increases, especially amidst ongoing trade tensions and economic challenges.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
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