Editorial | Xi Jinping and Donald Trump should seek cooperation, not confrontation, in Osaka talks
- An unexpected phone call between the two presidents has boosted markets and raised global hopes that they can move towards ending damaging trade and technology wars
Uncertainty about whether presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump will hold talks at the annual Group of 20 summit in Osaka in little over a week have been removed.
Their unexpected phone conversation at which agreement to meet was confirmed erased doubts, giving stock markets a boost and rekindling global hopes that China and the United States, the world’s largest economies, can push forward with striking a deal to end their damaging trade and technology wars.
Negotiations, which broke down last month, have resumed and teams are now laying the groundwork for the leaders’ discussions. But there is unlikely to be a quick resolution; with complex issues such as North Korea, Iran and Huawei also on the agenda, the most pressing goal has to be a pledge for sustained high-level dialogue to ensure a jointly beneficial outcome.
Tellingly, Trump initiated the call. Beijing had just announced this week’s visit by Xi to North Korea and meeting with the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, during which it was hoped a new era of relations would be forged.
Xi made a similar pledge last week when meeting Iran’s President Hassan Rowhani on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan, speaking of the need for a “steady development of a bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership”.
Such words are troublesome for the American leader, who has just launched his re-election bid for the presidency. Victories in the trade war and disputes with Pyongyang and Tehran would boost his chances of winning a second term.