Donald Trump is heading to Beijing for his first visit to China since 2017, with an upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping scheduled for May 14-15. The story is like the world’s biggest album: trade war talks, the Taiwan conflict, Iran’s Strait of Hormuz, AI security, and the world’s rare minerals.
What is on the table
The main focus of the conference is in five main areas, each with its own importance. Trade relations are at the top of the list, with both sides looking for a way to ease the deal on a tariff dispute that has plagued supply chains around the world for years. Taiwan remains one of the most difficult diplomatic tripwires in the relationship. And Iran’s Strait of Hormuz, which holds nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil, is adding a level of leverage that no leader can afford.
Then there is the technical side. AI security regulations and access to the world’s rare minerals, both areas in which China has advanced strategies, are the topics of discussion. China controls a large portion of the world’s manufacturing industry, making it the watchdog for everything from cell phones to electric cars to mining equipment.
The geopolitical landscape has changed dramatically since the two leaders shared the floor at the 2025 APEC summit. Trump has changed energy subsidies to boost US competitiveness through a variety of industrial strategies. China, for its part, maintains good relations with Iran which would be important in any decision around the Strait of Hormuz.
Managing expectations
The real results include more progress: potential trade forums, the first agreements on rare earth minerals and energy purchases, and clear terms that give both sides the chance to claim victory without making any changes.
