Donald Trump’s visit to China comes amid mounting tensions over trade, AI, security and the Middle East, but both Washington and Beijing appear determined to prevent the relationship sliding into deeper confrontation.

US President Donald Trump’s coming visit to China is being closely watched by business leaders, policymakers and Chinese-American groups hoping for signs that Washington and Beijing can stabilise one of the world’s most consequential relationships, even as expectations for major breakthroughs remain limited.

The trip comes against the backdrop of mounting geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing war involving Iran and disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, as well as continued friction over trade, technology and national security.

Still, many in the United States see the visit as an acknowledgement by both governments that allowing ties to deteriorate further would carry significant economic and strategic costs.

“It’s the view of both Chinese-Americans, Asian-Americans and all Americans, quite frankly, that we need to improve the relationship between the United States and China,” Gary Locke, former US ambassador to China and chairman of the board of the Committee of 100.

“The world is looking for leadership from both the United States and China joining together to solve some of the most pressing issues facing the world,” Locke said, citing climate change, artificial intelligence, cyberattacks and nuclear proliferation.

US consumers and exporters watch summit for economic relief

For many Americans, however, the impact of the relationship is felt less through diplomacy than through household budgets and jobs.

Locke argued that tariffs imposed on Chinese imports had increased costs for US consumers already grappling with inflation, while retaliatory measures from Beijing had hurt American exporters.

“People want some certainty,” he said. “Prices are a lot higher, whether it’s for tools or shoes or clothes or toys or furniture.”

China’s retaliatory tariffs, he added, had reduced purchases of American soybeans, Boeing aircraft and medical equipment, affecting US workers and farmers.

The White House has signalled that economic issues will dominate the visit.

Randall Schriver, chair of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission and a former assistant secretary of defence for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said the administration appeared primarily intent on making the current trade truce more........

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