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The have a long history of tension that has only been simmering more this year. The meeting between and China's President Xi Jinping looks to calm some of the turbulence between the two countries. Trump has frequently emphasized a good relationship with Xi, dating back to his first term. He's frequently described the Chinese leader as "brilliant" and "strong" while highlighting mutual respect between the international counterparts. But the relationship hasn't meant an end to tariffs and trade-related stress. The two nations have been embroiled in a trade war for the better part of 2025, with escalating tariffs threatening to reignite if negotiations falter. Beyond trade, issues such as technology disputes - including with the social media app TikTok, the flow of Chinese-made fentanyl into the U.S., and China's alliances with U.S. adversaries continue to add to the strained relations. Retired Ambassador Gordon Gray, now a professor at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs, says both countries have leverage over one another on different issues. Because of that, their economies would be better off if the temperature were lowered. “Both countries are competitors and that’s the way it’s going to be for the foreseeable future," he said. "Both countries need one another economically; we need China as a market, they need us as a market, we need access to their rare Earth mineral,s which they have a virtual chokehold on." Additionally, the longstanding issue of Taiwan's independence continues to be a point of contention. China has long threatened military action to take back the island that they view as theirs, with the Chinese government fiercely opposed to Taiwanese independence. Taiwan relies on the United States for military support, and the question over whether or not the U.S. would intervene in a military conflict has always hung over the relationship with China.
