Trump Set for Beijing Summit Amid Cooling U.S.-China Relations

President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing Wednesday night for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, facing cooler diplomatic conditions than during his 2017 visit, as U.S.-China relations are strained by trade disputes and U.S. military actions in Iran. The White House confirmed the two leaders will hold one-on-one talks, tour the Temple of Heaven, and attend a state banquet, but the event will not match the 'state visit-plus' status of Trump's first trip.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said the leaders will discuss establishing a new U.S.-China Board of Trade and advancing cooperation in energy, aerospace, and agriculture. Despite the ceremonial schedule, officials acknowledge tensions have curbed expectations, with Jonathan Czin, former China director at the National Security Council, noting Beijing is unlikely to offer major concessions ahead of U.S. midterm elections to maximize leverage.

The visit marks the first of up to four planned meetings between Trump and Xi over the next eight months, including potential summits at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Shenzhen and the G20 in Florida. However, Czin cautioned that Xi's limited travel history raises doubts about follow-through. The court will resume hearing on Tuesday.