US President Donald Trump is set to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, hoping for a foreign policy win. The summit, postponed from March after the Iran war began, will cover the Iran conflict, trade disputes, and Taiwan's status.

The meeting comes amid a global energy crisis due to the Strait of Hormuz blockade and stalled peace talks between Tehran and Washington. Both leaders have incentives to project success, as neither wants to lose face.

"Trump desperately needs some good news on the foreign policy front," said Chu Yin, a political scientist at Beijing's Pangoal think tank. "His poll numbers are in the gutter ahead of the midterm elections. His plan to quickly bring Iran to its knees and celebrate in Beijing did not work out."

Negotiators from both sides will seek progress in Seoul ahead of the summit. Trump also plans to raise the case of Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, sentenced to 20 years under China's national security law.

Taiwan remains a red line for Beijing, which considers it a breakaway province. The US, under the Taiwan Relations Act, supplies defensive arms to the island. Trump said he would discuss arms sales with Xi, noting that a $14 billion package awaits his approval.

Analysts suggest China may leverage the Iran crisis to distract Trump from Taiwan. The US needs Chinese support in the Iran war, while Washington urges Beijing to persuade Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The trade war also looms large. Trump imposed steep tariffs on Chinese goods, and China threatened to cut rare earth supplies. No significant agreement has been reached yet. Analyst Peter Qiu expects a "big deal" involving national interests of both nations.

Source: www.dw.com