At the heart of tensions, Tâiwan. During the opening of their summit in Beijing, Xi Jinping warned Donald Trump of the risk of a “conflict” between China and the United States if Washington mishandles this issue, reports AFP. “The issue of Tâiwan is the most important in Sino-American relations. If it is handled well, the relations between the two countries (China and the United States) can remain generally stable. If it is mishandled, the two countries will clash, perhaps even enter into conflict,” declared the Chinese president. Beijing considers Tâiwan as a Chinese province and does not rule out the use of force to achieve reunification.
Faced with this warning, American policy remains unchanged for now: military support for Tâiwan, without official recognition of its independence. “The American side has repeatedly reaffirmed its clear and firm support for Tâiwan,” commented the spokesperson of the Tâiwanese government, Michelle Lee. The Tâiwan issue thus crystallizes tensions between the two powers, in a context marked by disagreements on trade, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and access to rare earth minerals.
“Relations between China and the United States will be better than ever”
Despite these differences, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump displayed a certain cordiality in front of the cameras. Welcomed with honors at the People’s Palace, on Tiananmen Square adorned in the colors of both countries, the American president received a particularly solemn welcome. Donald Trump affirmed his “honor to be on the side of his Chinese counterpart and “the honor of being his friend,” before assuring: “Relations between China and the United States will be better than ever. We will have a fabulous future together.”
On the economic front, Xi Jinping tried to send signals of openness to American companies. “The door of China’s opening will continue to open wider and wider,” he declared to several American business leaders. Washington hopes to obtain agricultural agreements, new Chinese investments in the United States, and a significant order for Boeing aircraft. The two countries are mainly seeking to preserve a form of constructive strategic stability after their violent trade war of 2025, marked by massive tariffs and numerous restrictions.
The summit is also expected to address several sensitive international issues. Xi Jinping emphasized the need for the two powers to be “partners, not rivals.” The discussions focused on the Middle East, Ukraine, and the Korean Peninsula. Donald Trump notably wishes to convince Beijing to use its influence to open the Strait of Hormuz. China is the main buyer of Iranian oil.
