Trump and Xi Announce Trade, Drug Control and Technology Initiatives After State Visit

-Editorial 

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced steps on trade, drug enforcement and emerging technology following Xi’s state visit to the United States, according to a White House fact sheet released Sept. 25. Several of the trade measures remain recommendations or subjects of further talks.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, during the reciprocal visit. The two presidents discussed economic ties and international security issues as their governments began using trade and investment forums established during Trump’s May visit to Beijing. 

Through the U.S.-China Board of Trade, the countries reached a consensus on recommendations for more favorable tariff treatment for $30 billion in goods moving in each direction, the White House said. It did not say the proposed tariff changes had taken effect.

The goods covered on the U.S. export side include agricultural products, fish and seafood, logs and wood products, cosmetics and medical devices. On the import side, they include small appliances, toys, holiday decorations and children’s car seats. The board also launched a working group to address barriers to agricultural trade.

China will import at least 10 million metric tons of U.S. coal in 2027 and the same amount in 2028, according to the administration. The fact sheet did not provide details about pricing, suppliers, or how the purchases would be carried out. 

The countries also established a Board of Investment to discuss potential investments and obstacles facing businesses. Separately, they continued talks over U.S. concerns about shortages of rare earths and other critical minerals. The White House described restoring shipments to appropriate levels as a goal, but announced no resolution to that issue.

Drug enforcement was another focus of the visit. The administration welcomed China’s scheduling of orphans, a class of synthetic opioids, and noted new Chinese export controls on two chemicals used to make fentanyl. It urged China to make controls on those and other substances permanent.

The White House said Chinese authorities arrested 21 Chinese citizens in August after receiving information from U.S. law enforcement about the alleged manufacture and distribution of precursor chemicals to illicit drug producers in North America. The administration urged the maximum sentences available under Chinese law, including the death penalty where applicable. The fact sheet did not provide the suspects’ names or the status of their cases. 

On technology, the two governments established a dialogue that the White House called the U.S.-China Super Intelligence Dialogue. It said the leaders agreed to use “super intelligence” to describe the emerging technologies covered by those discussions, which will address their potential risks and benefits. The next exchange is planned by November. The countries also agreed to create a bilateral communication channel for related incidents.

Trump and Xi discussed Russia, North Korea and Iran, the fact sheet said. According to the White House, they agreed that Iran should not obtain a nuclear weapon and opposed tolls imposed on international waterways. Trump advocated negotiations on arms control involving the United States, Russia and China.

The administration said the leaders intend to attend each other’s upcoming G20 and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summits. Trump also urged Xi to increase production of refined petroleum products to help stabilize global supplies.

In a separate development noted by the White House, two giant pandas leased by China arrived at Zoo Atlanta.