Trump-Xi summit: What wasn't said might matter the most

ByLaura Bicker China correspondent.

Key points

• The Trump administration additionally stated Beijing would purchase at least 10 million metric tons of coal annually in 2027 and 2028.
• Trump will attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen in November while Xi is due to travel to Miami for the G20 summit in December.
• Adding to the confusion, US Ambassador to China David Perdue informed Fox News that Trump had offered to sell weapons to Xi during the summit.
• China did secure lower tariffs on $30bn (£23bn) of goods entering the US with reciprocal reductions projected from Beijing.
• Chinese state media confirmed for the first time on Monday that the trade truce has been extended until 10 January.

On Monday, China published more information of what was agreed at the negotiations between Xi Jinping and Donald Tump last week, shedding light on a handful of concrete outcomes. But there were no joint statements and few major breakthroughs.

Instead, both governments issued separate accounts of the session – perhaps a sign that despite the White House tours and promise of warmer ties, Washington and Beijing remain wary of each other.

Here are four things we now know – and still don't – regarding what transpired at the negotiations. A new AI dialogue and communication channel.

Beijing notes it has agreed with Washington to launch a new AI dialogue, with further negotiations scheduled for the end of November.

As both countries race to develop advanced artificial intelligence, the move suggests they see a need for some guardrails around a technology that is increasingly being applied in everything from business to military planning.

They have additionally agreed to establish a communication channel for AI-related incidents, aimed at preventing misunderstandings or unexpected developments from turning into a broader confrontation.

In practice, the session was being closely watched for any developments or agreements in relation to AI – especially after calls by US firms like Anthropic to slow down developments, and revelations that Open AI had gained unauthorised access to administration websites in countries like Australia and had "meddled" with multiple US administration agency sites.

Massive data centres rise at 'China speed' to power its AI ambitions.

Trump and Xi come face-to-face as US and China battle to win the AI race.

Trump wants AI to be rebranded as super intelligence. Will it work? Trade truce – what was included and what was left out.

Notably, the short extension ensures both leaders will meet again at major international gatherings afterwards this year.

It is rare for the leaders of the world's two largest economies to meet so frequently.

But Beijing had hoped for a much longer extension to the truce, making the two month reprieve a modest gain rather than a major breakthrough.

Chinese products heading to American stores ranging from toys to small household appliances to Christmas decorations will benefit from the lower tariffs.

For context, the Trump administration additionally stated Beijing would purchase at least 10 million metric tons of coal annually in 2027 and 2028. What is striking is what was left out.

There was no mention of increasing exports of China's rare earth minerals to the US nor was there any indication that restrictions on advanced US semiconductors would be eased. The US left out Taiwan – but China didn't.

For context, the White House factsheet created no mention of Taiwan, but the problem was clearly a priority for Xi Jinping.

According to Beijing's accounts of the discussions, Xi called on Donald Trump to formally oppose Taiwan independence and handle the matter with caution.

After their previous session in May, Trump disclosed that Xi directly asked him if the US would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.

He remarked to journalists, "There's only one person that knows that, and it is me, " and he raised the question whether it produced sense for US forces to "travel 9, 500 miles to fight a war" over the matter. This time, Trump disclosed far less.

"We didn't talk about it too much, " he remarked to journalists over the weekend.

"Right now, it's fine. It's just moving along, " Trump remarked. "He understands very much how I feel." That silence may be significant.

Trump has previously described a proposed $14bn US arms package for Taiwan as "a very good negotiating chip" in his dealings with Beijing. The arms package has been on hold for months.

Meanwhile, the State Department afterwards clarified that US law prohibits arms sales to China and there are no aims to do so.

Beijing sees the self-governing island as part of China. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is resisted to any attempt to take the island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons. China may be opening the investment doors.

China notes it will allow more foreign financial firms, including American-backed banks, investment businesses and insurers, to apply to do business and open offices in China. But any approvals will still be subject to Chinese laws and regulations.

In practice, the last line is key. China is opening the door, but still controls who gets through it.

Foreign financial firms have long complained that regulatory barriers, licensing requirements and reservations over exit bans produce it tough to expand in China, even when market access is technically allowed.

Beijing additionally stated it was discussing ways to growth the number of flights between both countries, but neither side has explained how this would happen.

And despite giving visa free entry to visitors from more than 75 countries throughout the world, China has not extended that offer to Americans.

Meanwhile the US State Department continues to classify travel to China as a Level 2 advisory urging travellers to "exercise increased caution" since of the risk of arbitrary law enforcement, exit bans and detention.

So even though both sides are talking regarding encouraging business and travel some of the biggest obstacles remain firmly in place. So what do we know?

This summit produced more dialogue – but particularly little decision change for now. The most contentious problems from advanced technology to Taiwan remain unresolved.

But for both leaders, this is a familiar outcome – a promise of more channels of communication, modest economic concessions and modest proposals to steady relations.

And while both remain committed to a steady relationship – continued US-China dialogue appears far easier than asking either superpower to compromise.

For now, trump-Xi summit: What wasn' t said might matter the most remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.