Trump Personally Welcomes Xi Jinping at Airport—Will Arms Sales to Taiwan Be on the Table? Former Australian PM Kevin Rudd Warns: Beijing Holds All the Cards

This week marks Chinese President Xi Jinping's first visit to the United States in 11 years. U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump personally traveled to Andrews Air Force Base to welcome President Xi upon his arrival—an extraordinary gesture not seen since President John F. Kennedy greeted then-British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan at the airport over 60 years ago. This rare act has placed the Washington 'Trump-Xi summit' under intense global scrutiny.

Ahead of the summit, analysts and media are closely watching whether the two leaders will reach any consensus on key issues, including the Taiwan question, arms sales to Taiwan, the U.S.-China trade war, artificial intelligence (AI), rare earth elements, tariffs, and geopolitical matters concerning Iran and North Korea. In anticipation of the summit, renowned China expert and former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd released his analysis to the media, emphasizing that Beijing holds the strategic initiative. Rudd warned that China is in full control of the agenda and negotiation dynamics, giving it a decisive advantage in shaping the outcomes of the talks.