Trump, Xi End Beijing Summit With Iran War Overtaking $30 Billion Trade Push

15 articles · Updated · Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty · May 15

Zhongnanhai talks on May 15 ended with Iran eclipsing trade and technology as Trump and Xi said they broadly agreed on keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and preventing Tehran from getting a nuclear weapon.
Roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies normally pass through Hormuz, pushing both sides to focus on the war's economic risks even as Washington said it was not asking Beijing to end the conflict.
China's Foreign Ministry backed the fragile cease-fire and reopening maritime routes, while Trump said Xi offered to help broker a deal with Tehran and would not provide Iran military equipment.
Tangible summit gains remained modest: U.S. officials cited expected double-digit billions in annual Chinese farm purchases, renewed licenses for hundreds of U.S. beef producers, a proposed $30 billion trade board, and 200 Boeing jets.
Taiwan, export controls and rare-earth restrictions still cloud ties, leaving the summit more a stabilizing pause than a breakthrough as Middle East tensions reshape U.S.-China diplomacy.

Will the summit sacrifice US tech leadership and Taiwan's security for short-term economic deals with Beijing?

Does China’s new role as a Middle East peace broker signal a permanent shift in global power?

With the Strait of Hormuz blocked, what will the US concede to China for its help in the Iran crisis?