Trump publicly praised Xi and stated that "it is an honor to be his friend," in a gesture aimed at conveying optimism about the future of bilateral relations.
However, behind the friendly tone, there are still deep differences between the two powers on key issues such as Taiwan, the war in Iran, and trade disputes. During the private meeting held at the Great Hall of the People, Xi Jinping warned that stability between China and the United States will depend on how Washington handles the Taiwan issue. The Chinese leader also cautioned about the risk of falling into the so-called "Thucydides Trap," a concept used in international politics to describe the potential conflict between an emerging power and an established one.
Xi emphasized that both countries must act as partners and not as adversaries. Although the meeting was filled with symbolism and diplomatic messages, analysts believe that the discussions are unlikely to yield concrete progress in the complex relationship between Washington and Beijing in the short term.