President Xi Jinping's summits with Donald Trump have one clear aim. China believes the United States is trying to contain its rise as a superpower, and it wants Washington to stay out of its way - particularly when it comes to trade, technology and Taiwan. On this visit, however, despite Trump rolling out the red carpet for him, the Chinese leader didn't get everything he wanted.
The trade truce that saw both countries pause a tit-for-tat tariff war and prevent a further escalation, was extended by only a few months - from November to January. Beijing had hoped for at least a year as Xi looks to ride out the remainder of Trump's presidency. This means key disputes on tariffs, China's dominance on rare earth supplies and access to advanced US chips are being kicked forward into yet another round of negotiations.
This suggests the US wants China to do more to fulfil its side of the bargain before offering longer-term concessions. The uncomfortable truth for Xi is that his domestic economy is in trouble. While the country sells a record number of goods around the world, consumers at home are holding back.
Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high and property prices have slumped in a country where 80% of people own their own homes. Trade is helping to prop up growth, making access to overseas markets more important than ever. Xi needs to protect those exports from the kind of debilitating tariffs the US imposed last year.
On Taiwan, Xi once again made clear that US arms sales to Taiwan are a red line for China. The US is bound by law to provide the self-governing island with the means to defend itself. In May, Xi warned Trump that mishandling the issue could cause the two countries to "collide or even enter into conflict".
Trump then delayed the approval of a $14 billion arms package for Taiwan, describing it as a "very good negotiating chip" with Beijing. Xi may have seized on that opening during the talks and likely argued that restraining support for Taiwan reduces the risk of conflict. On Thursday he reiterated his hope that the US would adhere to the "correct position" of opposing Taiwan independence.
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