All into Account: What to Watch for at the Trump-Xi Summit

U.S.-China relations are shifting from engagement to strategic competition, with the upcoming summit serving primarily as a mechanism for non-escalation rather than a platform for major breakthroughs. While potential agreements on agricultural or energy purchases may occur, fundamental strategic incompatibilities persist. Zoe Liu, a China studies fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, emphasizes that China’s focus has shifted toward self-sufficiency and long-term planning, particularly in advanced manufacturing and AI. Navin Girishankar of the Center for Strategic and International Studies argues that the U.S. must adopt a long-term technological innovation strategy, potentially leveraging compute infrastructure to maintain economic dominance. Both experts warn that markets currently underestimate the speed and scale of China’s technological advancements in sectors like biotechnology and chip manufacturing, as well as the country's ability to mobilize talent and capital toward prioritized national goals.