Serious strategic friction
Relations between the US and China are currently characterised by a delicate balance between intensive economic diplomacy and serious strategic friction. In May 2026, a long-awaited official meeting took place in Beijing between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The talks led to some progress on trade relations.
Following the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, statements from both sides highlighted the concept of ‘strategic stability’ between the US and China.
Whilst the White House described this vision as “constructive relations of strategic stability based on fairness and reciprocity”, Beijing merely stated that it referred to “constructive bilateral relations of strategic stability”.
