Trump and Xi Jinping will meet soon in the Beijing Summit. This will be Trump’s first visit to China in his second term. Earlier, in October 2025, both the leaders met in Busan, South Korea. In his first term, Trump ended America’s decades-old association with China. After a year-long tariff war between the two countries, the purpose of Trump’s visit is probably to restore relations between the two countries. America’s past relations with China were based on the illusion that economic engagement with the West would make China more open and democratic. But the new relationship is a practical necessity to deal with a China that is completely under the control of the Communist Party and has become an economic and technological superpower. Undoubtedly, Trump, who is fond of pomp and show, will get a grand welcome in China. There may be some symbolic steps and business agreements. But the emphasis will not be on eliminating competition, but on managing it. The tariff agreement between Xi and Trump in Busan may be taken forward, but there will be no change in the rivalry between the two countries in the areas of technology, security and geopolitical influence. Taiwan is an important priority for China. Last year, Trump approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan. Other packages worth about $14 billion are also under process, which include state-of-the-art missiles. China had asked America to be careful on the issue of selling arms to Taiwan. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s opposition party KMT chairperson Cheng Li-wun’s recent meeting with Xi in China indicates that China has other options besides military options regarding Taiwan. The most likely outcome of the Xi-Trump meeting is that both sides will reiterate their positions and try to hide their differences. Then this conversation is taking place at a time when the Iran war is affecting the whole world and there is no possibility of it ending till the meeting of the two leaders. Certainly, Iran will be a big topic in the talks, because it is a close partner of China and a major part of its oil exports goes to China. Trump will probably put pressure on China to persuade Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. Anyway, China supports it. China will also look at it from the perspective that the Iran issue has diverted America’s attention from East Asia. Many analysts have already pointed to the declining relevance of the Quad. There was no Quad summit in 2025 and it is not even decided when it will happen. However, the meeting of Quad countries is going to be held in New Delhi at the end of this month. In a recent post, Trump expressed his expectations regarding this visit in his own style. He himself announced that China is very happy with the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump wrote, ‘I am doing this for the whole world and for them too.’ He also said that China has agreed not to send weapons to Iran. Although Trump’s hostility towards China has not diminished, but his style has changed. As threats failing, they are now trying a friendly and bargaining approach. As per his style, Trump would like to present this summit as a grand victory in which a ‘Big Beautiful Deal’ is reached. But China is wise and will hardly give them a big deal as per their expectations. Trump’s hostility towards China has not diminished, but his style has changed. As threats failing, they are now trying a friendly and bargaining approach. Trump would like to present the summit with Xi Jinping as a resounding victory. (These are the author’s own views)
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Manoj Joshi’s column: Trump needs someone from China "’Big Beautiful Deal’ will not be available
