Trump welcomes China’s Xi to Washington looking for a trade win
US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington for a state summit. This marks Xi's first visit to Washington in over a decade. Trump greeted Xi at Joint Base Andrews, the first such welcome by a US president in 11 years. The leaders aim to stabilize ties despite underlying rivalries and are expected to extend a trade truce until January 10, 2027.
The summit's pomp and ceremony mask deeper intentions. Trump's reception for Xi, the first US presidential tarmac greeting in 11 years, points to a desire for optics over immediate, deep policy shifts. The trade truce extension until January 10, 2027, offers a temporary calm. This avoids an immediate tariff escalation, a win for both leaders facing domestic pressures.
For Asia's tech sector, the trade truce provides stability but does not resolve core tensions. Export controls and AI remain flashpoints. US allies in Asia will watch Taiwan closely. Trump's past comments about a US$14 billion arms package for Taiwan as a "negotiating chip" create unease. This could affect regional defense spending and strategic alliances.
The real test for Asian markets is whether the US softens its Taiwan stance for economic gains. China's offer of help with Iran pressure in exchange for halting Taiwan arms sales is a direct challenge. The summit's limited tangible outcomes, beyond the trade truce, suggest deeper issues like AI governance and semiconductor supply chains remain unresolved.
Related reading
6 stories
Can the US and China verify an AI deal? Start-ups are starting to build the tools
This piece explores how start-ups are building tools to verify AI deals, a key challenge in US-China tech relations.
EBANX Plans Pakistan Launch, Expands Apple Pay Processing in LATAM
Singapore Wants AI Investment to Deliver Measurable Value
Grab, OpenAI Launch Regional AI Skills Programme Starting in Singapore
Anthony Tan and Alexander Hungate Buy Over US$30 Million in Grab Shares
