China-US talks mark a 'small step' towards Xi meeting Trump

BACK-to-back talks between the US and China's top diplomats and defence chiefs could mark “a small step” towards a meeting between the leaders of the two countries, analysts said, but cautioned against expecting an imminent summit.

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The last time US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met was in 2019 so all eyes would be on any discussions of flashpoint issues like Taiwan, the South China Sea and US tariffs.

Tensions between the world’s two biggest economies simmered this year, but have significantly cooled since April, when both countries slapped escalating tariffs on each others’ exports.

Trump and Xi last spoke in June over the phone. The US leader said in August that he expects to visit China this year or shortly afterwards, noting that economic ties between the two countries have improved.

While Xi has not publicly commented on a potential Trump visit, Wednesday’s talks between the countries’ defence and foreign affairs heads have raised hopes of a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders.