Summary
Chinese leader Xi Jinping welcomed US President Donald Trump in Beijing for bilateral talks, with focus on the historic meeting and ongoing trade tensions. The commentary highlights the pageantry and the context of last year's Liberation Day tariffs.
- President Trump arrived in Beijing to meet Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People.
- The meeting is the first in nearly a decade between the two leaders.
- Last year's Liberation Day saw tariffs north of 100% between the US and China.
- Tariff levels have since come down substantially.
- The US has discussed reciprocal tariffs pending a 301 investigation.
- The outcome of the bilateral talks is seen as critical to tariff decisions.
- The Chinese side is expected to have ironed out details ahead of the meeting.
- The event is described as historic with deep underlying fault lines.