US and China Both See Time on Their Side, Refuse to Yield on Core Issues

The Trump-Xi summit at the White House on September 24 is unlikely to yield major breakthroughs, as both leaders believe time is on their side and refuse to concede on core issues, making the meeting a strategic standoff focused on conflict avoidance and risk management. Analysts say Trump is confident in US economic recovery and technological leadership, particularly in AI and alternative supply chains for rare earths, while Xi views the US as in irreversible decline despite China's domestic challenges. Both sides extended a trade truce by two months, seen as a stopgap ahead of the US midterm elections. On Taiwan, Xi pressed for a permanent halt to US arms sales, while Trump delayed a $14 billion package as leverage. Other disputes, including Iran and Latin America, remain unresolved, though both leaders appear determined to avoid a relationship rupture.