Decoding the Trump-Xi Summit: What’s Next for US-China Relations

The Trump-Xi summit marks a pivotal shift in US-China relations, characterized by the introduction of "constructive strategic stability" as a framework for managing long-term competition. While the meeting lacked immediate, high-profile deliverables like large-scale trade agreements, it established a process for ongoing dialogue and risk management. Beijing views the summit as a successful elevation of bilateral status, though significant discrepancies remain regarding Taiwan and regional hotspots like the Strait of Hormuz. Both nations are moving toward a "cold peace," recognizing mutual parity and the necessity of setting guardrails to prevent escalation. Future developments, including potential arms sales to Taiwan and subsequent high-level meetings, will serve as critical indicators of whether this new framework can sustain stability beyond the current administration’s term.