Trump administration tempers expectations for China trip focused on AI, trade, and Iran

President Donald Trump is traveling to China this week to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Senior US officials said the two leaders are expected to discuss artificial intelligence, boards of trade and investment, and the Iran war, but stopped short of discussing formal agreements that might result.

A senior US official denied that a major Chinese investment plan in the US would be announced during the trip, stating: 'There's not a proposal out there for some massive investment' and 'that has not been on the negotiating table.' While there has been talk of orders for Boeing planes and soybean sales, expectations are low for significant commercial announcements.

Blackstone's Stephen Schwarzman, Citi's Jane Fraser, and other US CEOs are expected to join Trump on the trip. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the administration prefers to engage in direct conversations with China rather than make bold rhetorical claims without substantive outcomes.