Trump and Xi to discuss cybersecurity, AI, and Taiwan in summit

President Donald Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington next week, a summit that analysts say could reshape the rivalry over cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and Taiwan. The two leaders will sit down for a three‑hour bilateral talk at the White House on Tuesday, with a joint press conference scheduled for later in the day. Rush Doshi, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, warned that the agenda will be “high‑stakes and high‑tension,” as both sides try to manage a relationship that has grown more adversarial since 2018.

The meeting comes after a series of escalations that have hardened U.S. policy toward Beijing. In 2022, Washington imposed sweeping export controls on advanced chips and AI software, citing national‑security risks. A year later, the United States expelled several Chinese diplomats over alleged cyber‑espionage targeting government agencies. At the same time, Beijing’s increasing military drills around Taiwan have raised alarms in Washington and among its allies. Trump’s campaign promised a “new approach” to China, arguing that his personal rapport with Xi could unlock concessions that a more conventional diplomatic style could not.

Doshi said the summit is likely to focus on three core issues. First, both countries will discuss a framework for limiting cyber attacks on critical infrastructure, a topic that has drawn bipartisan concern in Congress after several high‑profile ransomware incidents. Second, they will address the race for AI dominance, with the United States seeking assurances that China will not steal or weaponize American research. Third, the most delicate subject will be Taiwan, where the United States has pledged to support the island’s self‑defence while China insists on eventual reunification. Early statements from the State Department suggest that any agreement will be limited to “confidence‑building measures” rather than a full de‑escalation.

What follows the talks will depend on how much each side is willing to compromise. If Trump can secure a cyber‑norms pact or a mutual restraint on AI export bans, it could ease pressure on U.S. tech firms and reduce the risk of a digital Cold War. Conversely, a failure to reach any accord may push both nations toward a more confrontational stance, especially if Taiwan’s security remains unresolved. Observers say the world will be watching the joint press briefing for clues about whether the summit will mark a turning point or simply a pause in an increasingly fraught rivalry.