U.S. President Donald Trump landed in Beijing on the evening of May 13, 2026, for a summit with Xi Jinping. The meeting on the 14th will address trade tensions, the Iranian conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, and Washington's stance on Taiwan. In a climate of geopolitical rivalry, both leaders seek to reduce friction without ceding ground.
The technological factor: chip war and defense systems 🖥️
At the summit, technology will be a critical point. China is pushing to eliminate tariffs on semiconductors, while the U.S. demands transparency in the development of hypersonic missiles. Additionally, Beijing seeks guarantees regarding the sale of Aegis systems to Taiwan. With no prior agreements, the technical discussion could focus on supply chains and export controls, issues affecting manufacturers like TSMC and ASML.
The tea summit: nobody wants to be the one to spill the cup 🍵
Trump and Xi will toast with green tea, but the real menu consists of tariff threats and missiles. While Trump's team inspects the Chinese tableware for possible microphones, Xi's advisors calculate how many tweets his firewall can withstand. In the end, both will feign surprise when the other pulls a new tariff out of their sleeve. The only winner will be the official photographer, who will capture the most awkward handshake of the year.