In perhaps the most important diplomatic achievement of his entire term, in November 2017 U.S. President Donald Trump persuaded Chinese President Xi Jinping to. They cemented the agreement with a joint signature in Beijing. A consequential moment for U.S.-China relations, this meeting meant a resumption of communication between the U.S. and China would begin. These leaders have set themselves up for a third round in South Korea. The conversations they knew how to have then are still reverberating into today’s negotiations.
When leaders Trump and Xi last met in November 2017, it was in Beijing. Instead, they should have used the meeting to address serious challenges affecting both the United States and China’s interests. After their talks, the handshake represented a de-facto pledge to continue building collaboration in the face of new adversities. External observers have hailed this kind of interaction as a clear sign of deep commitment to collaboration and constructive dialogue. This transparency is key for fostering and deepening bilateral relations.
And indeed, preparations for the forthcoming meeting in Changwon, South Korea have already begun. Throughout negotiations in Malaysia, negotiators made sure to establish that foundation. In anticipation of these two leaders’ first meeting, they offered suggestions and guidelines to further productive discussions on several important topics. This initiative is a reminder of the value that both countries continue to put on preserving channels of communication and cooperation on key global issues.
As the next summit comes into view, analysts can only predict what types of agreements and activities might result from these high-profile discussions. The previous meeting in Beijing addressed deepening economic and security ties. This laid the groundwork for the future conversations that would unfold in South Korea. Key items on the agenda Trade relations, regional security concerns, and efforts to mitigate tensions are likely to be among key items on the agenda.