US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold high-level talks this week covering Iran, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, nuclear weapons and trade relations, as both countries weigh extending a rare earth minerals agreement.
The meeting will mark the first face-to-face talks between the leaders of the world’s two biggest economies in more than 6 months.
Trump is expected to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday ahead of discussions scheduled for Thursday and Friday. The trip will be his first visit to China since 2017.
US officials said both countries are expected to announce agreements aimed at improving trade and investment ties.
According to the officials, China is expected to unveil purchases involving Boeing aircraft, American agricultural products and energy supplies.
The two sides are also expected to discuss extending a truce in their trade dispute, which currently allows rare earth minerals to continue flowing from China to the US.
One official said agreements on creating a Board of Trade and Board of Investment could also be announced during the visit, although implementation may require further negotiations.
“It doesn’t expire yet,” the official told reporters. “I’m confident we’ll announce any potential extension at the appropriate time.”
China’s embassy in Washington declined to comment on the planned talks.
Beyond trade, discussions are expected to focus heavily on Iran, Taiwan, artificial intelligence and nuclear arms, areas that have remained major sources of tension between Washington and Beijing.
China remains a key buyer of Iranian oil and has maintained close ties with Tehran during the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.
Trump has reportedly been pressuring Beijing to use its influence to push Iran towards an agreement with Washington and help end the war that began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
The Trump administration has also continued raising concerns over China’s relationship with Russia.
“The president has spoken multiple times with General Secretary Xi Jinping about the topic of Iran and about the topic of Russia, to include the revenue that China provides to both those regimes, as well as dual-use goods, components and parts, not to mention the potential of weapons exports,” one US official said.
“I expect that conversation to continue.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
