What’s on and off the table at Trump and Xi’s meeting

The upcoming state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington marks a critical juncture in U.S.-China relations, characterized by a shift from an emerging power dynamic to a state of strategic stability. James Griffiths, Asia correspondent for The Globe and Mail, notes that while Xi enters the talks with fewer domestic constraints than President Trump, both leaders prioritize maintaining the status quo over pursuing comprehensive agreements. Key agenda items include trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, and the ongoing conflict in Iran. Despite U.S. efforts to isolate China, aggressive trade policies have inadvertently encouraged other nations to strengthen ties with Beijing. Ultimately, the meeting serves to manage tensions and prevent further escalation, as both nations navigate a long-term, gradual economic decoupling while avoiding a sharp, disruptive break in their bilateral relationship.