Xi-Trump summit: irritants pile up but both sides want deal

Observers from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Brown University depict a cautious buildup to this week's Xi-Trump summit. Scott Kennedy, CSIS senior adviser, explains that Washington and Beijing have been deliberately accumulating leverage — “picking up chits” — ahead of the meeting, with neither side wanting to be seen as a deal killer. The summit, originally focused on trade stabilization, was postponed two months by the US-Israel war on Iran, which now dominates the agenda. The Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for China's energy imports and a driver of US inflation, is a top priority for both nations, though Brown's Lyle Goldstein warns the Iran issue will “push a lot of other things off the agenda.” Trump, seeking to resolve the conflict quickly, is expected to press for a resolution.

Despite the strategic and trade blows exchanged recently, the summit remains on track. Analysts characterize the pre-summit maneuvering as a careful balancing act — managing interdependence without triggering escalatory spirals. The delayed meeting, scheduled for Wednesday in Beijing, will test whether both leaders can compartmentalize their many irritants long enough to find common ground on energy security and economic stability. While the Iran conflict overshadows trade discussions, the shared interest in reopening the Strait of Hormuz may provide the basis for at least a limited deal.