US President Donald Trump is preparing for a pivotal summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, set to begin on Wednesday. This meeting comes at a time when US-China relations are characterized by both cooperation and rivalry. Key issues on the agenda include trade, Taiwan, Iran, artificial intelligence, and nuclear weapons. This will be Trump's first visit to China since 2017 and the first in-person meeting with Xi in over six months. The geopolitical landscape has shifted significantly since their last encounter in October 2025, where a temporary truce in the trade war was established. Currently, both leaders face pressing challenges: Trump grapples with the fallout from the US-Israel conflict regarding Iran, while Xi deals with slowing economic growth and high energy prices.

The summit is seen as essential for managing the ongoing tensions between the two powers, with discussions expected to revolve around extending the existing trade truce that allows rare earth minerals to flow from China to the US. Analysts anticipate limited agreements and symbolic announcements rather than substantial breakthroughs. Rare earth minerals, crucial for various industries, remain a significant leverage point in the rivalry. Additionally, the talks are likely to address Iran's influence and the sensitive issue of Taiwan, which continues to be a flashpoint in US-China relations. The summit may also touch on artificial intelligence and nuclear weapons, with both sides seeking to establish communication channels to prevent misunderstandings.