From tariffs to Taiwan: what Trump learned in China

Last week, US President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing made global headlines. And there was no surprise. Whenever leaders of the world's two undisputed superpowers meet, it naturally attracts global attention. This was the first visit by any US president to China in nearly a decade. Coincidentally, Trump was also the last US president to visit Beijing back in November 2017. But the difference between China in 2017 and in 2026 is striking. When President Xi Jinping received President Trump at the Great Hall of the People, the message was unmistakable - this was a meeting of two equals.

Trump, who often deals with foreign leaders in a blunt and sometimes dismissive manner, appeared noticeably different in Beijing. The US president, known for making off-the-cuff remarks, often to the discomfort of allies and foes alike, remained unusually measured, sticking largely to scripted comments in both formal and informal settings. China, on its part, rolled out an extraordinary welcome. President Xi even invited Trump to the leadership compound where he works and resides - a rare gesture for a foreign leader. But beyond the optics and symbolism, there was serious business on the table. The visit as revolved around three Ts - trade, technology and Taiwan. Others suggested adding a fourth T, Tehran, a reference to the ongoing Iran-US tensions.

The composition of Trump's delegation, which included billionaires and top executives from major technology companies, offered a clear indication of Washington's priorities. The US and China remain the world's two largest trading economies, although tariff wars in recent years have significantly reduced bilateral trade. In 2022, trade between the two countries stood at nearly 690 billion US dollars. By 2025, that figure had fallen to 414 billion dollars. Yet despite the decline, the US still faces a trade deficit of around 200 billion dollars with China. Bridging that gap remains one of Trump's key objectives.

During his three-day visit and multiple meetings with President Xi, Trump pushed for greater Chinese purchases of American goods and increased investment in the US. After the visit, Trump claimed he had secured 'fantastic' trade deals with China, though he offered few specifics. Reports suggest China has agreed to purchase 200 aircraft from the American Boeing company. In return, Beijing wants Washington to ease export restrictions on advanced semi-conductors and chip technology.

Taiwan, meanwhile, remains one of the most sensitive issues between the two powers. Although the US officially adheres to the One China policy, it also supports Taiwan's defence under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979. Earlier this year, the US Congress approved a 14-billion-dollar arms package for Taiwan. President Trump has yet to formally clear the deal and, following his talks with Xi, avoided giving any definitive answer. And there was a reason for that. Trump admitted China is now a powerful country, one that cannot be handled with force.

The Iran-US conflict was also one of the key issues discussed between the presidents. Washington believes China holds considerable influence over Iran and could persuade Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Following the meeting, Trump claimed both countries were broadly on the same page. He also mentioned that China agreed with the US that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. China, for its part, has called for a lasting diplomatic solution to the US-Iran crisis. But it remains unclear whether Beijing is prepared to exert enough pressure on Tehran to make such an agreement possible.

President Trump has now returned to Washington. He may not have achieved everything he wanted to from this trip, but both him and his delegation now appear to recognise a larger reality - China is no longer a country that can simply be contained. Despite tariffs and other coercive measures, Beijing has successfully diversified its exports and expanded its global economic footprint. Its trade with the US may have declined, but China still posted a massive trade surplus of nearly 1.2 trillion dollars in 2025.