President Donald Trump expressed confidence in reaching a deal on tariff negotiations with China within three to four weeks. However, Politico reported that the chances are slim, with experts citing Trump’s insistence on a one-on-one meeting with President Xi Jinping as a major obstacle.
Ryan Hass, former Director for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia at the National Security Council under President Barack Obama, stated that the lack of backchannel communication is due to Trump’s preference. He added that Trump wants to engage directly with Xi and has no interest in communication through intermediaries.
Sources indicate that Trump, preferring direct dialogue, is withholding approval for the White House delegation negotiations with Chinese officials.
Politico reports that the team intended to lead negotiations with China hasn’t been properly assembled. The U.S. Senate has yet to confirm an ambassador to China, the White House hasn’t contacted the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., and Trump has not appointed a dedicated lead negotiator.
While Trump projects confidence about reaching an agreement with China, experts warn that without substantial negotiation support, meaningful communication and solutions will become increasingly elusive.
Despite Trump’s desire for direct talks with Xi, China has not responded favorably to a one-on-one meeting. Instead, Xi focused on securing allies in Southeast Asia last week, visiting Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia, rather than engaging in a standoff with the U.S.
China is concerned that a one-on-one meeting could erode Xi’s negotiating advantage due to Trump’s unpredictability, with fears that Trump might turn the summit into a spectacle.
In February, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, Trump publicly reprimanded Zelenskyy for not responding to U.S. proposals and abruptly ended communication in front of reporters.
However, Politico emphasized that direct conversation between leaders is not the only way to advance negotiations. Both countries could appoint trusted envoys to facilitate discussions.
The White House has refuted claims of obstructing U.S.-China dialogue. NSC spokesman Brian Hughes stated that various contacts continue at staff and senior staff levels and that, as the President said, the U.S. welcomes dialogue with China.
