Trump and Xi Meet Amid Trade Truce, Unresolved Tensions

Donald Trump hosted Xi Jinping for a state visit in Washington on Thursday, with the renewal of the trade truce settled beforehand, though the summit produced no major contracts or investment promises. The two leaders publicly emphasized their friendship despite unresolved tensions over Taiwan, Iran, and artificial intelligence. Markets reacted negatively to the lack of concrete outcomes, with Shanghai's CSI300 index falling 1.7% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropping 0.3%. Xi urged Washington to oppose Taiwan's independence and resolve differences with Iran diplomatically, while Trump highlighted their "great friendship" and discussed geopolitical flashpoints including Ukraine and North Korea. The visit included cultural gestures like sending pandas to Atlanta Zoo and a pledge for 100,000 American students to study in China. Trump also hopes Beijing will lift tariffs on US liquefied natural gas, while China seeks relief on diesel export restrictions.