THE Beijing summit between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping was never likely to produce a grand result. Too much mistrust has accumulated, and the disputes dividing Washington and Beijing now extend far beyond tariffs. Yet the meeting still mattered because both sides met with an interest in preventing relations from becoming even more volatile at a moment of widening global instability. The summit’s economic outcomes were limited but not insignificant. China reportedly agreed to expand imports of American agricultural goods and renew approvals for US beef exporters, while both governments signalled their willingness to continue negotiations over tariffs and market access. These steps may provide some reassurance to businesses rattled by........

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