A war-weary globe watches closely as rivals Trump and Xi prepare for Beijing face-off

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🗞️ Driving the news: US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are preparing for a high-stakes summit in Beijing this week, with the Iran war, energy security, trade, AI and Taiwan dominating an increasingly tense geopolitical agenda.

🔭 The context: This is Trump’s first China visit since 2017, but the world has radically changed since then
• China has emerged as a technological and industrial superpower, while the US-China relationship has deteriorated amid tariffs, semiconductor restrictions and strategic competition
• The summit now unfolds against the backdrop of the prolonged Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a major shock to global energy markets

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The meeting could shape the trajectory of global energy security, AI governance and clean technology competition for years
• China dominates key clean-tech supply chains including batteries, EVs and rare earths, while the US seeks both cooperation and containment
• At the same time, disruption in Hormuz highlights how fossil fuel dependence remains a major geopolitical vulnerability accelerating the strategic push toward renewables and electrification

⏭️ What’s next: Trump and Xi are expected to discuss trade agreements, rare earths, AI guardrails and the future of Taiwan policy
• Washington is also expected to pressure Beijing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and influence Iran toward a settlement
• Markets will respond to the summit outcome - genuine stabilization or merely temporary tactical détente

💬 One quote: “There are a lot of advantages to us getting along.” — Donald Trump

📈 One stat: The Strait of Hormuz disruption has removed roughly 14 million barrels of oil per day, equivalent to around 14% of global oil output

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