Former US envoy Nicholas Burns stressed that top-level engagement between the US and China is irreplaceable. Speaking via video link to the Yale Centre Beijing, he said US President Donald Trump would be right to focus on economic issues during his trip to Beijing for talks with President Xi Jinping. Burns noted numerous issues dividing the two countries that threaten peace.
Nicholas Burns, former US ambassador to China, spoke via video link to the Yale Centre Beijing on Tuesday. He said there is no substitute for top-level engagement given the issues at stake between the two countries. Burns indicated that US President Donald Trump would be “right to focus on economic issues” during his trip to the Chinese capital for talks with President Xi Jinping.
“And let us hope that they can sustain the truce in tariffs – the tariff wars – and sustain the truce in the supply chain wars in 2026 that were so destabilising in 2025,” Burns said, adding that other matters would be discussed. “Because there are so many issues that divide the two countries and that threaten the peace between the two countries.”
Burns highlighted that economic topics would likely headline the summit, though other concerns such as the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific dynamics may arise. Xi is expected to make a state visit to the United States this year. The remarks come amid efforts to stabilize US-China ties following 2025 trade disruptions.
