Trump’s China Trip Tests Shaky Trade Truce
BBC Business reported Monday that US President Donald Trump will travel to China from May 13-15 for a summit with President Xi Jinping. It marks the first visit by a sitting US president to China in nearly ten years. The trip arrives at a delicate juncture in one of the world’s most consequential economic relationships.
Senior executives from major American corporations are expected to join the delegation. Representatives from Boeing, Citigroup, and Qualcomm are among those anticipated to attend. Deal-making with Chinese counterparts is widely expected.
A Trade War Years in the Making
The roots of current tensions trace back to Trump’s first term. In 2018, Washington imposed tariffs on roughly $250 billion worth of Chinese imports. That move caught Beijing off-guard, according to Georgetown University policy researcher Ning Leng, who noted China had not expected Trump to follow through so decisively.
Those early measures set off a chain reaction. China found itself exposed, given its heavy reliance on US buyers for manufactured exports. Domestic headwinds — sluggish consumption, elevated unemployment, and a drawn-out property downturn — made American demand all the more critical.
Biden Kept the Pressure On
When Joe Biden took office in 2021, his administration largely preserved Trump’s tariff regime. Biden’s team added further restrictions on firms including Huawei and effectively locked Chinese electric vehicles out of the US market with steep levies. University of Hong Kong economist Tang Heiwai has argued that Biden’s overall approach was arguably more protectionist than Trump’s first term.
Trump’s Return and the Road to the Truce
Back in office in 2025, Trump escalated sharply. He layered additional tariffs on Chinese goods, citing fentanyl trafficking concerns. His so-called Liberation Day announcement pushed total levies on Chinese imports above 100% at their peak. Beijing responded with countermeasures targeting US agricultural products, a direct pressure point on Trump’s rural voter base.
The standoff exposed a vulnerability in Washington’s position. China’s dominance over global rare earth supplies — materials essential for electronics and defence hardware — gave Beijing significant leverage. A face-to-face meeting between Trump and Xi in South Korea last October produced a fragile ceasefire. China suspended export controls on rare earths. Washington rolled back some fentanyl-related tariffs. Both sides claimed wins.
Summit Week Arrives With Stakes Elevated
That October deal remains incomplete, and threats from both capitals have continued since. This week’s Beijing visit will test whether the October truce can evolve into something more durable. Business delegations suggest both governments see commercial upside. Whether that translates into formal agreements remains an open question.
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