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Taiwan Tensions Loom as Trump, Xi Begin Beijing Talks

President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping opened their summit in Beijing with optimistic rhetoric about collaboration, though significant friction points remained unresolved. Xi characterized Taiwan as a flashpoint capable of triggering armed confrontation between the world's two largest economies, describing the situation as inherently unstable for global markets. The discussions encompassed trade negotiations, regional security concerns, and China's involvement in the ongoing Iran conflict. Trump's first state visit to China in nine years comes as both nations seek to stabilize bilateral ties amid geopolitical tensions. The Trump administration signaled intentions to press Beijing on its Iran strategy during the talks, while the leaders emphasized opportunities for economic cooperation.