Wendy Cutler: What’s at Stake at the Trump-Xi Summit

Summary

Wendy Cutler, former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, discusses the upcoming Trump-Xi summit in Beijing, focusing on trade truce extension and modest deliverables. She highlights potential Chinese purchases of U.S. agriculture and airplanes, and U.S. interest in exporting aircraft and medical devices. The economic fallout from the Iran war is also noted as a risk to Asian economies, including semiconductors, tourism, and food.

• The Trump-Xi summit is expected to extend the trade truce reached in October.
• China may announce big purchases of U.S. agriculture and airplanes.
• A new board of trade could facilitate trade in non-strategic sectors.
• The U.S. wants increased exports of aircraft and medical devices to China.
• China will likely demand relaxation of U.S. export restrictions on high-tech goods.
• Taiwan is expected to be a central issue in China's demands.
• The ongoing Iran war poses risks to Asian economies beyond oil and gas.
• Semiconductors, tourism, and food are among the sectors affected by the conflict.