Xi Heads to Trump Summit as China’s Trade Engine Keeps Roaring

Chinese President Xi Jinping is heading to Washington this week with China’s trade machine showing surprising strength, putting him in a stronger negotiating position as he prepares to meet U.S. President Donald Trump.

The two leaders are scheduled to meet at the White House on September 24, with trade expected to be one of the main issues on the table. Rather than focusing on a dramatic new trade deal, both sides appear to be looking for ways to keep their fragile trade truce from breaking down.

China’s exports keep growing

Trump returned to office promising to use tariffs to tackle what he viewed as an unfair trade imbalance with China. The two countries subsequently went through a major tariff confrontation, with duties on both sides eventually reaching more than 100%.

But China’s export sector has continued to perform strongly.

Reuters reports that China’s global trade surplus is on track to exceed $1 trillion for a second consecutive year. More than half of roughly 6,500 product categories China has sold to the United States so far this year have recorded growth compared with 2025.

That performance suggests that U.S. tariffs have not stopped China’s broader export drive, although China continues to face challenges at home, including weak domestic demand and a prolonged property-sector crisis.

Trump and Xi seek stability

The September 24 summit comes as the countries try to maintain a trade truce reached after their earlier tariff confrontation.

The truce is scheduled to expire on November 10, making the Washington meeting important for determining whether the temporary stability continues. Preparatory talks in New York have already focused on trade, artificial intelligence and potential tariff reductions for non-sensitive goods.

U.S. officials have also been discussing possible purchases of American agricultural products and Boeing aircraft, while China wants continued stability in its economic relationship with the United States.

Taiwan could also enter the discussion

Trade will not be the only sensitive issue.

Reuters reports that Taiwan could also feature in the talks. Xi has previously raised questions about U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and Washington’s commitment to the island. Any significant change in U.S. policy could have major implications for relations between Washington and Beijing.

A different balance of pressure

The summit therefore comes at a very different point from the height of the tariff war.

Instead of another round of tariff escalation, both governments appear interested in managing tensions and protecting economic stability.

For Xi, China’s strong export performance provides important leverage heading into the talks. For Trump, the challenge is turning negotiations into concrete trade gains while avoiding another escalation between the world’s two largest economies.

The big question now is whether Trump and Xi can extend their fragile trade truce — or whether tensions will begin rising again after their meeting.