Trump-Xi China-U.S. Summit Expected Early 2026 Amid Ongoing Trade Tensions

A highly anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, initially expected this fall, is now more likely to occur in 2026, according to U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue. Despite Trump's earlier suggestions of a meeting at a multilateral summit in South Korea, China's official communications did not confirm such plans. A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation led by Democratic Representative Adam Smith recently visited Beijing, meeting senior Chinese officials to discuss issues including military communication, trade deficits, fentanyl exports, and disputes over TikTok's ownership. Smith noted that while dialogue between the two countries is improving, significant challenges remain, emphasizing the need for better alignment. Ambassador Perdue described the Trump-Xi relationship as "very good and very encouraging," yet acknowledged that logistical and diplomatic factors have delayed the summit. The visit marks the first American congressional trip to China since 2019 and reflects efforts to reopen serious communication channels amid ongoing tensions.