America and China are gearing up for a showdown. And it isn’t going to be pretty.
Because China sent a list of demands to Trump that isn’t going to end well.
Setting Conditions for a Summit: China’s Taiwan Stance
A potential summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping hinges on delicate diplomatic negotiations, with China emphasizing U.S. policy on Taiwan as a critical factor.
According to Wu Xinbo, a Chinese official and advisor to the Foreign Ministry, any visit by Trump to China would require clarity on the U.S. stance toward Taiwan, highlighting the complexities of U.S.-China relations.
China’s Demands and Diplomatic Preparations
Wu Xinbo, dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, outlined Beijing’s expectations during a Beijing peace forum, stating:
“Trump has to clarify the U.S. position on this very important issue when he comes to China. Without that, I don’t think his visit will be successful.”
He stressed that Trump must affirm the U.S. does not support Taiwan’s formal independence, a position China views as non-negotiable given its claim over the island.
Wu also urged urgency in summit preparations, noting, “If we are going to make this happen, we need to make preparations as soon as possible, and time is running out.”
He proposed advancing discussions on trade, fentanyl, and diplomatic contacts, suggesting a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a neutral country to lay the groundwork.
Broader Context: Tensions and Opportunities
The prospect of a summit follows Trump’s Truth Social post last month, where he shared, “As Presidents of two Great Nations, this is something that we both look forward to doing,” after Xi invited him and First Lady Melania to China. Trump reciprocated with an invitation to Xi.
However, Taiwan remains a flashpoint, with China’s Foreign Ministry accusing the U.S. of supporting independence after a February 2025 State Department fact sheet revision, prompting large-scale military drills.
Spokesperson Mao Ning called the revision “another egregious example of the [United States’] intention of using Taiwan to contain China,” though the U.S. clarified it opposed unilateral changes to the status quo.
Wu’s call for progress on trade, fentanyl, and diplomatic ties aligns with Trump’s campaign pledges, including enforcing a $50 billion agriculture deal and pressing China on fentanyl trafficking, as he vowed, “President Trump has also said that Communist China will not invade Taiwan on his watch.”
