A flashy show and zero results: Trump and Xi's summit led to nothing

The Trump-Xi summit was characterized by lavish ceremonies but yielded few practical results. The Taiwan issue remained a central point of friction, and Trump has yet to approve a weapons package for Taiwan. On the trade front, only minimal progress was made, with an extension of an existing agreement by just two months.

The presidential summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at the White House was marked by lavish ceremonies and ostentatious camaraderie, but yielded very few practical results. The Taiwan issue remained a central and strategic point of friction. Xi called on the US to oppose the island's independence and warned of a 'Thucydides trap'. Trump has yet to approve a critical $14 billion weapons package for Taiwan. On the trade front, only minimal progress was made: the sides agreed to extend an existing agreement by just two months, until January 10, despite Beijing's demand for a comprehensive two-year extension. China purchased 25 million tons of soybeans, but still lags behind on additional agricultural commitments worth about $17 billion.