As trade officials from Washington and Beijing met in Kuala Lumpur this week, the message from both sides was simple: keep the peace. After months of tariffs, warnings, and uneasy headlines, the U.S. and China are looking to calm markets and save the long-planned meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping.
Behind closed doors, diplomats describe the talks as “cautious but constructive.” Neither country wants another round of tit-for-tat tariffs that could slow global trade. Yet both leaders face pressure at home — Trump from industries hit by supply disruptions, and Xi from business groups worried about export declines.
The discussions in Malaysia focused on energy, technology, and agricultural trade — areas where both economies overlap heavily.
A small agreement on lowering certain import restrictions is being floated as a possible gesture before the Trump-Xi meeting.
A small agreement on lowering certain import restrictions is being floated as a possible gesture before the Trump-Xi meeting.
Analysts say the meeting could set the tone for the next year of global trade. A failure could send markets tumbling, while even a symbolic handshake might restore some confidence.
Still, few expect a full breakthrough.
The two powers are competing not just over trade, but over who sets the rules for emerging technologies and global investment. For now, both appear willing to pause the fight — not end it.
The world will be watching Malaysia closely. What happens there could decide whether 2025 ends in cooperation or another round of economic uncertainty.
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