US-China summit: did Xi get what he wanted?

Controlled cooperation

As warmth and ceremony served as compensation, Beijing prioritised avoiding confrontation as it sought to establish a more structured framework for the two states' relationship that could allow for controlled cooperation. Chinese writer and political researcher Zhao Zhi Jun told Al Majalla that Beijing's objective was not to resolve disputes over tariffs, restrictions on chip exports and Taiwan all at once, but to build on a model established at the Beijing summit: no conflict or confrontation to avoid hostility. By that measure, Zhao said, the Chinese achieved their objectives.

Taiwan was again on the agenda. Washington handled the issue cautiously and opposed 'independence'. The trade war was limited to a truce, avoiding escalation. The overall feeling was to give the US-China relationship new substance, with Beijing having introduced the concept of 'constructive strategic stability' at the May summit as a framework for relations. In Washington, Xi added substance to that framework, saying it was based on three principles: mutual respect, fairness, and reciprocity.

The formula appeared in both the White House factsheet and the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement on the summit's outcomes. Both documents said that Trump and Xi had agreed to "establish a constructive relationship characterised by strategic stability and based on respect, fairness, and reciprocity". For China, this is the benchmark for judging Washington's conduct. US pressure, containment policies, or efforts to impose agendas will be seen as a breach of the understanding reached.

The trade truce

Although Beijing had hoped for a longer extension of the trade truce, it has shown that it can absorb the shock of tariffs and export restrictions while responding with countermeasures, not least by using its leverage over the rare earths needed by technology companies. Zhao said Washington rejected a longer extension because it wants to pressure Beijing to buy more American goods and open its market to more American companies.

The two-month window covers the midterm elections, the APEC summit and the G20 meeting, before Trump decides whether to approve another extension or seek a comprehensive deal. For Beijing, a continued truce (regardless of duration) is a gain since it avoids additional costs while allowing China to transform its economy, strengthen self-sufficiency, and reduce dependence on foreign technology.

China and the US also agreed to grant preferential tariff treatment to $30bn worth of non-sensitive goods in each direction, with specialised working committees set up to address barriers to investment and access to agricultural markets. They also added the principle of 'expanding the list of areas for cooperation and reducing the list of differences', in the words of China's Ministry of Commerce.

Taiwan and arms sales

As expected, the Chinese side raised the issue of Taiwan (although it was not reflected in the summit's outcomes and was absent from the US factsheet). Xi urged Trump to maintain "the correct position of opposing Taiwan independence". The traditional US position is that Washington does not support Taiwanese independence, and Xi's comments triggered debate as to whether this remained the case, or whether Xi wanted him to go a step further.

Trump has previously described Taiwan as a powerful bargaining chip with Beijing and said the island could not be defended militarily. The day after Xi left, Trump said the Chinese president fully understood his position on Taiwan, without giving details. Later, US Ambassador to China David Perdue confirmed that there had been no change in Washington's policy towards the island, but observers note that Trump continues to hold up a $14bn arms sales package to Taiwan, and no final White House decision on this is anticipated before Trump's expected meetings with Xi in Shenzhen and Florida.

Unlike Taiwan, Iran featured in the summit's outcomes. The two presidents called on Iran to honour its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons and stressed their rejection of transit charges through international waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz. Initially neutral toward Tehran, Beijing may be slowly adjusting its position by making specific demands. At the White House, Xi urged the US and Iran to return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

After the summit, it was reported that Chinese diplomats offered ideas to both sides to clarify some of the memorandum's disputed provisions. Although Beijing's position does not fully align with Washington's, analysts believe Trump is unlikely to push China further on Iran. This can be regarded as a tactical gain for Beijing, which continues to hold to its red lines on the crisis, foremost among them its opposition to the use of force, violations of sovereignty, and unilateral sanctions.

Til tech us do part

As expected, artificial intelligence (AI) was also discussed, but interest in cooperation is limited, given that Trump has made 'winning the AI race' one of his administration's highest priorities. Alongside the US-China agreement to establish a communication channel for handling AI incidents, there was also a reference to 'dialogue' over the risks and benefits of the technology. After Xi left, Trump said he did not want to integrate US and Chinese efforts in AI, arguing that US firms were ahead and would seek to preserve their advantage. "When you're in the lead, you don't give the other side an opening," he said.

With news later emerging that OpenAI delayed the launch of its latest AI model because of safety concerns, Beijing does not see itself as part of the debate between Trump and the US tech community over the proposed slowdown of AI development (to allow security measures to catch up). China is confident in its governance of these technologies, with frameworks and legislation for their safe development and use. Its focus is more on using AI to transform its economy than on competing with the US.

While Xi's US visit can cautiously be said to have delivered tactical gains for China, it did not produce a big breakthrough in relations between the two countries. As Zhao noted, the visit produced no long-term trade agreement, no easing of restrictions on chip exports, and no change in the policy governing arms sales to Taiwan.

Zhao stressed, however, that Beijing is prioritising the relationship's trajectory and pace, establishing 'constructive strategic stability' first before building on it. The Shenzhen and Miami summits will test this approach. Whether it paves the way for compromises or remains a dispute-management framework remains to be seen.