Donald Trump came away from his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping full of bombastic optimism. He called it a great success and rated it 12, on a scale of 1 to 10. China was less enthusiastic. Beijing's initial statement sounds like an instruction manual, with Xi urging teams on both sides to follow up as soon as possible.
Trump is after a deal that could happen pretty soon, while Beijing, it appears, wants to keep talking because it's playing the long game.
Among other things, the US would lower tariffs on Chinese imports, and China would suspend controls on the export of rare earths, critical minerals necessary for high-tech products. Yet, despite the optimistic rhetoric, this is only a temporary truce, and significant differences between the two nations remain.
As observers note, managing the complex relationship between the US and China requires navigating around competing interests and intentions. The US and China are going in different directions, explains Kelly Ann Shaw, a former economic advisor. It's really about managing the breakup in a way that does a limited amount of damage.
The summit was characterized by a mix of cooperation and caution, leaving many to wonder how these talks will influence global markets and future negotiations.
