On Friday February 20, Washington reported that president Donald Trump would visit China from 31 March to 2 April. On the same day the White home confirmed the date of the trip, the U.S. ultimate Court struck the president with a severe blow, repealing a large condition of his flagship duties. Beijing, though struggling with problems itself, is observing the situation with “certain kind of amusement” and may be little inclined to compromise.
The gathering with president Xi Jinping is to be a continuation of the trade truce concluded in October 2025. However, the ultimate Court ruling, which considered Trump to have exceeded his powers by imposing duties on the basis of the global Exceptional economical Powers Act (IEEPA), completely alters the dynamics of forthcoming talks. The 20% duties on Chinese goods were repealed, which undermines the main leverage Trump had in relations with Beijing.
Weakness deepens from Beijing's perspective
Analysts agree: Trump's position is much weaker. Scott Kennedy of the Center for strategical and global Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. stated that the customs failure likely “cemented his weakness” in the eyes of Chinese leaders. Earlier, in the face of China's threat of cutting off supplies of uncommon earth metals, Trump was forced to defend himself. Now, without a key tool of pressure, it can be seen as an even weaker partner for conversation.
An anonymous Beijing political scientist, quoted by the “South China Morning Post”, went further, suggesting that
“Beijing weakened Trump can offer little concessions compared to what he was prepared for before the ruling.”
China's limited maneuvering field
However, the situation is not clear. China, despite its apparent advantage, besides faces their own problems. The deteriorating financial situation and, paradoxically, the actions of Donald Trump's administration limit president Xi's maneuver.
Professor Shi Yinhong of Renmin University in Beijing emphasizes that China “have rather limited financial resources and a geopolitical margin” to offer crucial concessions that Trump would request to present a visit as his success on the national arena. Perhaps, therefore, China is not far beyond conventional emphasising the importance of good relations with the United States and guaranteeing an extraordinary US president in the form of his visit.
Taiwan and Soya in the background of talks
There will surely be another delicate issues on the agenda of possible talks, in addition to trade. The rising tension around Taiwan, fueled by evidence sales of US weapons for an island worth $11.1 billion in December 2025, is 1 of the main points of inflammation. Xi Jinping already warned Trump about this in a February telephone call.
Another subject will be buying for American soy. Although Xi signaled an chance to increase them, which would be a bow to Trump's agricultural electorate, after a Friday ruling by the ultimate Court, Beijing may be little inclined to fulfill that promise.
What about the trade war?
Trump's visit to Beijing, announced by him himself as “the biggest event in China's history”, could take place in an atmosphere of uncertainty. Weakened on the interior front, the president of the United States can paradoxically tighten its abroad policy to show strength. The next fewer weeks will show whether the summit will bring fresh openness to the relations of the world's 2 largest economies, or whether it will become another act in the protracted trade war.
Finally, the most crucial information in this context: Beijing did not confirm the information Washington about the U.S. President's visit to China. It is not known how the situation around Iran will develop, what Donald Trump will announce next Monday, and what Chinese top-level politicians are avoiding in a peculiar way is taking the hazard of being exposed to awkwardness.
Source:
- Nikkei Asia / Reuters, “Trump to travel to China next month, with Taiwan and tariffs in focus”, 21 February 2026.
- Al Jazeera, “Trump to make three-day visit to China next month, White home says”, 21 February 2026.
- South China Morning Post, “Is China’s Xi set to host a weakened Trump after US ultimate Court tariffs setback?”, February 21, 2026.
Leszek B. Glass
Email: [email protected]
