Trump-Xi talks gave trade a breather, but these five issues remain

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping used their White House summit on Thursday to discuss trade, Taiwan, artificial intelligence and the broader strategic competition between Washington and Beijing.

The meeting, held during Xi’s state visit to Washington, produced an extension of the existing trade truce but stopped short of resolving several of the deeper disputes between the two countries. Here are five key takeaways from the summit.

Trade tensions get more time, not a lasting solution

The clearest outcome was an extension of the existing trade agreement by two months, moving its expiry from November 10 to January 10, 2027.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the extension would give both countries “more time to see what we can do on the economic front".

The pause leaves tariffs, Chinese purchases, rare-earth supplies and technology restrictions on the negotiating table. Bessent has also said China was meeting its commitment to buy 25 million tons of soybeans but remained behind on a separate $17 billion agricultural goods pledge.

US officials have also raised concerns over rare-earth deliveries.

Taiwan remains a major sticking point

Taiwan was another sensitive issue at the talks. According to China’s official news agency, Xi urged Washington to “handle the Taiwan question with prudence" and expressed hope that the US would oppose Taiwan independence.

That wording goes beyond Washington’s established position that it does not “support" Taiwan independence. There was no indication that the Trump administration planned to alter its formulation.

The White House did not immediately issue a readout of the exchange.

Washington responds with ceremony and military spectacle

The summit also featured an elaborate display of US presidential ceremony. Trump hosted Xi with military performances, including troops in wigs and tri-corner hats, as well as fighter jets and bombers flying overhead.

Xi was also shown the Marine One helicopter and the redesigned South Lawn of the White House.

But reporters covering the leaders’ interaction got few details about the substance of their talks. Trump described the meeting simply as a “Great meeting" and said Xi “loves good granite".

Both sides seek to prevent rivalry from escalating

Xi raised the “Thucydides Trap", referring to the theory that rivalry between an established and rising power can lead to war. He said the risk “can be overcome" and called for regular military communication and stronger mechanisms to prevent crises.

Trump, meanwhile, pointed to the countries’ wartime cooperation against Japan and stressed areas where they could work together.

AI exposes a clear difference in approach

Artificial intelligence also highlighted differing approaches. Trump said he wanted “to leave it exactly where it is" and rely on the US Department of Justice rather than introduce new guardrails, while saying China shared that view.

Xi, however, stressed the need to manage AI and keep its development under human control.

“We have both the capability and responsibility to develop and manage AI for good, and ensure that the development of AI is always under human control and serves the well-being of the people," Xi said.

The summit’s guest list reflected the growing importance of AI, with Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang attending Trump’s state dinner for Xi.