Trade dispute in focus: Xi and Trump meet in Busan!

Trade dispute in focus: Xi and Trump meet in Busan!

In a remarkable twist in international politics, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump gathered today for a key meeting in Busan, South Korea. This meeting is taking place as part of the APEC summit in Gyeongju and is the first major discussion on the long-running trade dispute between the two nations in some time. Radio Euskirchen reports that the topics on the agenda are diverse and include China's export controls on rare earths and US tariffs on imports from China.

This exchange not only gives hope for a possible agreement in the customs and trade dispute, but also touches on geopolitical issues, such as the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Before this meeting, expert-level negotiations had already taken place, which can be seen as preparations for the summit. This fifth round of negotiations between US and Chinese negotiators could pave the way for fruitful talks.

A powerful leader

Xi Jinping, considered the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, has taken a series of centralizing measures since taking office. Especially after the abolition of presidential term limits in 2018, Xi has become heavily woven into China's political landscape. Scene image as a “people's leader” also contributes to his influence, which is atypical for Chinese politics.

Less loyal factions within the Communist Party are suffering under Xi as he surrounds himself with allies and steadily tightens control over the leadership. His reform success is reflected in economic growth that more than doubled gross domestic product between 2012 and 2024, even as criticism of human rights violations and strict censorship measures arises. As he pushes the Chinese Dream initiative, the priorities are clearly a mix of ideological control and economic growth.

A turbulent past

Several significant steps can be seen in Xi’s policies. His inauguration led to a comprehensive anti-corruption campaign that held over 2.3 million civil servants accountable by 2023. These efforts rely on the idea of ​​the “high-quality” economy, which plays a central role in his reform efforts. But the challenges are not small either, as shown by global criticism of the strict measures against the COVID-19 pandemic or the stricter controls in Hong Kong and the allegations of human rights violations in Xinjiang.

With a clear focus on international politics, Xi has also strategically expanded relations with countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States, often marked by diplomatic partnerships and tensions. Military modernization and control over the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in particular indicate that China is becoming increasingly assertive on the global stage.

Today's meeting has not only economic but also far-reaching political implications and will be followed with excitement. It remains to be seen whether the two heads of state can actually achieve a breakthrough in the trade conflict.