ALBAWABA - There will likely be a lot of economic and geopolitical problems that are talked about when U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet. However, Taiwan is likely to remain the most sensitive and non-negotiable issue.
The summit, which will take place in Beijing from May 14th to 15th, comes at a time when trade, technology, and global impact are still causing problems between the two countries. Analysts say that both sides are willing to talk about tough problems like tariffs, rare earth minerals, and competition in semiconductors. They also say that they are open to reaching limited agreements.
Taiwan, on the other hand, is a major source of disagreement. Beijing sees the island as part of its own territory and won't use it as a bargaining chip in talks. Chinese leaders probably won't agree to any deal that links Taiwan to trade or political changes.
Washington, on the other hand, still sees Taiwan as a strategic tool it can use against China. U.S. policy is also limited by government rules that keep the country from making big changes in how it deals with Taipei. This makes the island even more important to the U.S.
Aside from Taiwan, the summit is likely to talk about the problems that affect energy flows around the world, especially in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as how U.S. trade restrictions with Iran affect China's oil sources. More Chinese investments in the US, possible deals involving Boeing planes, and continued competition in advanced technologies are some of the other things that could be talked about.
Experts say the meeting isn't really about fixing problems, but rather about how to handle them. Taiwan, in particular, is still a big problem in the relationship. It is both a global flashpoint and a test of how committed both countries are to their long-term goals.
Since both groups are sticking to their guns, the summit is more likely to focus on stopping things from getting worse than on finding a full solution.
