Trump-Xi Summit: Key Issues from Rare Earth Materials to TikTok in High-Stakes Diplomatic Meeting

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold their first meeting since 2019 on Thursday amid escalating trade tensions between the two global powers.

The high-stakes summit comes as Washington and Beijing find themselves entangled in multiple trade disputes while competing for international influence.

Several critical issues are expected to dominate their discussions:

Rare earth materials will likely be a central negotiation point. China recently imposed comprehensive export controls on these strategic elements, which are vital for defense, automotive, and electronics manufacturing. Trump responded with threats of 100% tariffs on Chinese imports, though he has since moderated his position, expressing optimism about reaching an agreement.

The fentanyl dispute has resulted in a 20% tariff on Chinese goods since March. Trump has criticized China for insufficient action against opioid trafficking into the US, though Beijing maintains it has been cooperative. Trump indicated he might reduce these tariffs during his meeting with Xi.

Agricultural trade, particularly soybeans, represents another critical area. China halted US soybean orders amid the trade dispute, significantly impacting American farmers who are key Trump supporters. Following preliminary talks in Malaysia, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that China has committed to "substantial" purchases.

The Ukraine conflict will also be discussed, with Trump aiming to leverage Xi's influence. The US has urged major energy consumers, including China, to limit Russian oil purchases that potentially fund Moscow's military operations. Ukrainian President Zelensky has specifically requested that Trump pressure Xi to reduce support for Russia.

Taiwan remains a persistent flashpoint in US-China relations. Beijing claims sovereignty over the self-governed island, while the US is legally obligated to provide Taiwan with defensive weapons. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has affirmed that America will not abandon Taiwan for trade concessions, though China reportedly seeks explicit US opposition to Taiwanese independence.

Technology issues, particularly semiconductor access and artificial intelligence development, will feature prominently. China has been expanding its domestic chip industry to counter US export restrictions. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently advocated for allowing US-made AI chips in the Chinese market to maintain America's global competitiveness in the sector.

TikTok's future in the United States is another key agenda item. Trump recently approved an executive order to place the platform under US investor control, citing national security concerns about its Chinese parent company ByteDance. Treasury Secretary Bessent suggested the leaders will "consummate that transaction" during their meeting.