The Journal. Trump and Xi to Meet at High-Stakes Summit
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May 13, 2026 
Annie Linskey, White House reporter covering Beijing prep and U.S. aims; Lingling Wei, WSJ chief China correspondent with on-the-ground analysis. They unpack summit theater and personal diplomacy. They discuss trade and tariffs, Taiwan's stakes, China’s economic pressures, Iran’s shadow over talks, AI and crisis communication, and the search for modest, transactional wins.
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Trump Uses Personal Bonding As A Negotiation Tool
- President Trump values one-on-one personal bonding with foreign leaders as a negotiation tool.
- Annie Linskey describes tea with Xi and a Temple of Heaven tour as deliberate ceremonial moments to build rapport before talks.
Summit Seeks Trade Truce Extension And Big Purchases
- The summit aims to extend the Busan trade truce and secure headline-grabbing Chinese purchases to help Trump's domestic economy.
- Delegation includes Boeing and other CEOs expecting orders like planes and agricultural purchases to show détente.
China's Leverage Over Iran Could Dominate Talks
- The Iran war looms over talks because China's leverage with Tehran could force a ceasefire that reopens the Strait of Hormuz.
- Lingling Wei notes China supplies oil, weapons, and intelligence, giving it leverage to press Iran.