What To Expect From the Xi-Trump Summit | China Pulse

The upcoming summit between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., faces significant skepticism regarding its potential for substantive outcomes. Scott Kennedy, Trustee Chair of Chinese Business and Economics at CSIS, notes that despite the growing list of global challenges—including trade imbalances and AI safety—preparations lack the depth required to address these complex issues. The U.S. strategy of focusing on trade deficits through tariffs has failed to improve domestic manufacturing or economic growth, while China’s industrial and technology policies continue to exacerbate global tensions. Effective diplomacy requires moving beyond performative summits toward consistent, working-level engagement that establishes clear rules for economic security and technological cooperation. Without a shift from photo-op meetings to rigorous, expert-led negotiations, the bilateral relationship remains trapped in a cycle of managed instability rather than meaningful resolution of core structural conflicts.