Taiwan emerges as major tension in Trump-Xi summit

Happy Thursday. Washington got hit with one of its first big thunderstorms of the season last night. That means summer is coming! The Council of the District of Columbia posted a cool video of the storm rolling in.

Thanks to everyone who guessed how many Truth Social posts Trump has made since retaking office last year. My inbox has been flooded! Drumroll please … the president has posted at least 8,800 times. We owe The Wall Street Journal reporters who added them up.

Taiwan a big discussion topic at Beijing summit

Taiwan a big discussion topic at Beijing summit

Is China quietly exploiting the U.S. over Iran?

Is China quietly exploiting the U.S. over Iran?

Banquet menu, sights and sounds in Beijing

Banquet menu, sights and sounds in Beijing

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Sen. Paul’s son drunkenly hurls antisemitic rant at Rep. Lawler

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Patel reportedly ‘padding’ FBI stats

Super Bowl-style halftime show at World Cup

Super Bowl-style halftime show at World Cup

How has the summit gone? It depends on who you ask:

The White House says President Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping has gone well. Trump highlighted the “respect” he has for China and the “fantastic relationship” between the two countries. Trump called Xi a friend and even formally invited him to the White House in September.

But China’s description of the summit hasn’t been quite as rosy. China’s Foreign Ministry says Xi gave Trump a firm warning regarding Taiwan. The Chinese leader warned Trump about tensions between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan, stressing it is the “most important issue” determining relations between the two countries.

Notably, the White House’s readout of the meeting did not mention this.

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➤ IS CHINA QUIETLY EXPLOITING THE U.S. OVER THE WAR IN IRAN?:

China may be using the war in Iran to gain a big geopolitical advantage over the United States. That’s what The Washington Post is reporting today, citing a confidential U.S. intelligence analysis.

This is reportedly raising alarm within the Pentagon.

Examples of how China has capitalized on the war:

— China has sold weapons to Persian Gulf allies.

— China has also helped countries with their energy needs.

— China’s messaging on the war has been negative toward the U.S., like labeling it as “illegal.”

— Oh, and the reported depletion of U.S. munitions may help China if there’s a faceoff between Beijing and Washington with Taiwan.

Read the WaPo report: ‘China gains major edge on U.S. amid Iran war, intelligence report finds’

OK, now to the pomp and circumstance.

These visits always have the best sights and sounds. Xi hosted Trump for a state banquet on Thursday. Here are some tidbits:

The menu: The........

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