US President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping are expected to meet this Thursday in South Korea. This unique convening represents the first in-person dialogue between the two leaders since Trump’s ascension to the White House. The timing of the meeting—in the midst of deepening tensions between the two nations—could not be more critical, raising the stakes on both sides.
The gathering in South Korea will address some important key topics. It will set the terms of trade relations, security concerns, and climate change. In recent months, these issues have overshadowed US-China relations. The two nations have logjammed economic protectionism and geopolitical rivalry.
With the exception of the initial flirtation with Taiwan, since Trump’s inauguration US-China relations have faced extreme tension on every front. Yet, despite military tensions over the South China Sea, trade disputes, and growing regional competition, these two powers remain intricately linked. Moreover, diverging interpretations of human rights have contributed to the lasting tensions. The meeting this week offers a historic opportunity for both leaders to tackle these questions head-on and search for areas of agreement.
Trump’s White House has been equally aggressive on the trade front with China. They’ve raised tariffs to historic levels and have taken an overall, much more competitive stance on economic statecraft. Meanwhile, Xi has focused on strengthening China’s position on the global stage, emphasizing national sovereignty and asserting China’s interests. The leaders’ impending discussions may provide a platform for negotiating trade agreements or easing tensions that have characterized their interactions thus far.
What is perhaps most important about South Korea’s choice as the meeting location is its strategic importance in the region. For this reason, South Korea continues to be one of the most important U.S. allies. It is an important part of a continuing conversation regarding the best strategy for confronting North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. Commitments to work together to address evolving security dangers posed by North Korea. The impact on US-China relations overall, it will take a look at the bigger picture for US/China relations.