President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping opened a high‑stakes summit in Beijing, emphasizing a partnership over rivalry. Xi urged a new paradigm for relations between major powers, while Trump declared the relationship would be “better than ever” and praised Xi as a “great leader.” The delegation’s presence— including Tim Cook, Jensen Huang, Elon Musk and Jane Fraser—underscored the economic stakes.

Key discussion points are expected to span the Iran conflict, Taiwan, rare earths and artificial intelligence. A state banquet later that evening and a tea session tomorrow signal a blend of diplomacy and cultural exchange. Trump’s son, Eric, accompanies him, hinting at a personal dimension to the visit.

Beyond the summit, the article touches on broader geopolitical and economic currents: the UK’s post‑Brexit landscape, the US Senate’s confirmation of Kevin Warsh as Fed chair, and tensions in Hong Kong’s quantitative research sector. It also notes Ukraine’s satellite ambitions and the shifting competitive dynamics in the UK insurance market. These threads frame the summit within a wider context of shifting global power balances and economic realignments.