Key issues for this week's Trump-Xi summit in Washington

China maintains close ties to Tehran and is by far the world's biggest buyer of Iranian oil exports. Washington sees Xi as uniquely able to exert pressure on Tehran, but he has shown little inclination to do so. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said Trump and Xi would continue discussions on China's financial ties to Tehran during the summit. But despite US frustration with Beijing, Bessent stopped short of imposing penalties on Chinese banks when he unveiled an "economic onslaught" against Iran last month and warned countries to cut business ties with the country. Reuters reported last month that Beijing is selling billions of dollars' worth of goods to Iran through a sanctions-evasion scheme. China's foreign ministry says it is not aware of this. US President Donald Trump is hosting Chinese leader Xi Jinping for their second summit this year, as they seek stability in a relationship under pressure from issues ranging from trade to Taiwan and Iran, as well as global worries about artificial intelligence. Markets have watched for signs of an extension of a tariff truce announced after a Trump-Xi summit in South Korea set to expire on November 10, and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday after talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng that they had agreed to extend it until January 10. He said this would allow more time to work on a potentially bigger trade deal. Trump will be looking to announce trade wins ahead of November midterm congressional elections, including by locking in high-profile purchases of Boeing aircraft and agricultural products. Greer said on Monday China is making progress on a commitment to buy 200 Boeings BA.N but gave no indication that any additional orders are near. Beijing has been pressing the US to further delay a rule that would bar thousands of Chinese firms from advanced US technology, while Washington wants Beijing to ease export controls on rare earths and critical minerals vital for high-tech applications. Experts say Trump has taken a less combative approach than usual ahead of his meeting with Xi because of China's growing power thanks to the critical minerals issue. China controls up to 70% of global rare-earth mining, 85% of refining capacity, and about 90% of rare-earth metal alloy and magnet production, according to consultancy AlixPartners. US allies in Asia have grown increasingly concerned that in order to lock in economic wins, Trump may be tempted to soften Washington's support for Taiwan, the democratically governed island claimed by China. Trump said Xi pressed him on US arms sales to Taiwan during the May visit, with the US president later describing a pending package worth up to $14 billion as a "negotiating chip". Any US shift on Taiwan would be highly controversial, raising questions about Washington's resolve to defend the island and provoking opposition in Congress. Analysts see artificial intelligence as a potential area for cooperation, given its implications for national security, economic competitiveness and military capabilities, and shared US and Chinese concerns about misuse. However, experts say intense competition in the field between the countries is likely to limit the scope for anything beyond symbolic agreements. Bessent said after talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng at the weekend that the two sides discussed setting up a new US-China AI dialogue. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was nascent thinking about "the equivalent of a hotline that we had during the Cold War" to avoid dangerous incidents that "could impact economies or societies and even lead to a conflict between nation-states."

Key issues for this week's Trump-Xi summit in Washington

Iran ties and pressure on China

Trade truce, Boeing orders and farm purchases

China's grip on rare earths and Taiwan concerns

Artificial intelligence and possible cooperation

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