Former US President Donald Trump received a lavish welcome, dubbed a “state visit plus”, upon his arrival in Beijing in November 2017, a key stop on his Asian tour. Videos and official ceremonies held at the Great Hall of the People showcased the warm reception from his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, a display that underscored the importance of bilateral relations between the world’s two largest economies, but masked a complex agenda fraught with thorny issues and deep-seated disagreements.
Background and historical context of the visit
Trump’s visit to China came at a sensitive time in US-China relations. On the one hand, Trump had built much of his presidential campaign on criticizing Chinese trade practices, accusing Beijing of currency manipulation and stealing American jobs. On the other hand, his administration recognized the importance of cooperating with China to address global challenges, most notably the growing threat of North Korea’s nuclear program. This visit served as a true test of the two leaders’ ability to forge a personal working relationship that could transcend the strategic differences between their countries.
The importance of the summit and its expected impact
The talks between Trump and Xi Jinping focused on two main axes, each with its own local, regional and international impact:
- Trade File: The massive US trade deficit with China was Trump's biggest concern. The US president sought to pressure Beijing to open its markets further to American products and reduce trade barriers. The visit resulted in the signing of trade agreements worth over $250 billion, which Trump considered a major achievement. However, many analysts viewed most of these deals as non-binding memoranda of understanding that failed to address the fundamental structural issues in the trade relationship, which later paved the way for the trade war between the two countries.
- The North Korean Crisis: In 2017, tensions on the Korean Peninsula reached a peak with the increasing pace of missile and nuclear tests by the Pyongyang regime. Trump’s strategy relied on applying “maximum pressure,” and China, as North Korea’s largest ally and trading partner, played a pivotal role in this strategy. Trump urged his Chinese counterpart to use his influence to restrain Kim Jong-un, to which Beijing responded in part by supporting UN Security Council resolutions that imposed tougher sanctions.
Other geopolitical issues
In addition to trade and North Korea, the talks addressed other issues such as Iran’s nuclear program. Trump, a vocal critic of the Iran nuclear deal, expressed his desire for Chinese support in countering what he called Iran’s “destabilizing activities” in the Middle East. Although China was a signatory to the nuclear agreement and supports its continuation, Washington sought to secure Beijing’s cooperation in implementing future sanctions. Speaking to reporters, Trump indicated he would have extensive discussions with Xi on this topic, expressing his hope for Chinese cooperation.
