Trump's Beijing visit scaled‑back amid Iran war
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- Trump arrives in Beijing Wednesday night for a three‑day visit that includes a welcome ceremony, a one‑on‑one meeting with Xi, and a tour of the Temple of Heaven.
- Anna Kelly announced that the agenda will cover a new “Board of Trade” for bilateral economic dialogue and discussions on energy, aerospace, and agriculture.
- Jonathan Czin (former NSC China director) noted the trip will not be a “state‑visit‑plus” like 2017 because of heightened tensions, including the ongoing war in Iran and trade disputes.
- Ali Wyne of the Crisis Group expects the Chinese delegation to showcase a lavish welcome, but he says the pomp now serves to shape Trump’s perception rather than signal a deeper partnership.
- Beijing's deep economic ties to Iran and lingering tariff threats from Trump’s first term could temper the goodwill of the visit.
Why it matters: China aims to preserve diplomatic goodwill by staging an elaborate welcome, while the U.S. sees a muted agenda that limits new economic mechanisms, leaving both sides with modest gains amid heightened Iran‑related tensions.
