Trump and Xi expected to extend trade truce at Beijing summit
US and China are likely to prolong their trade ceasefire for another year during a summit in Beijing in early April 2024.
In an upcoming summit in Beijing, President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping are expected to extend their trade truce negotiated in South Korea for up to a year. This extension aims to facilitate short-term economic gains for both countries, especially focusing on Chinese commitments to buy more US soybeans amidst a backdrop of impending US midterm elections. The discussions suggest a strategic alignment of economic interests to bolster each leader's position domestically.
Sources indicate that the plan involves Trump arriving in China around March 31, 2024, with the official summit expected to occur in the first week of April. This potential extension of the trade truce appears realistic and achievable, as it reflects a mutual understanding between Chinese and American officials. Both leaders are keen to showcase positive economic developments ahead of key political milestones, thus using the summit as a platform for substantial commitments and announcements.
The implications of an extended trade truce are significant, particularly for the agricultural sector, as resuming soybean purchases by China could lead to enhanced trade relations and economic stability for American farmers. Moreover, this meeting holds the potential to reshape bilateral interactions between the two superpowers, projecting a vision of cooperation and economic engagement against a backdrop of previous tensions in trade policies during Trump's presidency.