Chinese President Xi Jinping has concluded a three-day state visit to Washington that put some of the most consequential issues in the U.S.-China relationship directly before President Donald Trump—including trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, fentanyl, critical minerals, and China’s relationship with Iran.

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Although the visit produced no sweeping new agreement between the world’s two largest economies, both leaders emphasized stability in the relationship. Trump described his meetings with Xi as “very productive,” while Xi praised the visit and stressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries.

Trade remained one of the central issues. Just before the summit, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the United States and China had agreed to extend their existing trade arrangement until January 10. The agreement maintains a fragile truce following repeated rounds of tariffs and retaliation between Washington and Beijing.

The current trade relationship grew out of negotiations stretching back to 2025. Previous talks led China to resume purchases of American agricultural products, suspend some rare-earth export controls, and take steps against chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl. Earlier this year, Trump and Xi also established U.S.-China Boards of Trade and Investment, while Beijing committed to purchases of American aircraft and agricultural products.

Rare earth minerals remain a major point of leverage for Beijing. China dominates global processing and production of many of the critical minerals used in automobiles, semiconductors, advanced technology, and defense systems. Previous Chinese export restrictions have exposed American dependence on those supply chains, making continued access to critical minerals an important part of the broader economic relationship.

Artificial intelligence was also discussed. Trump said before meeting Xi that what he called “super intelligence” would be a major topic. Xi, meanwhile, publicly said the two countries must ensure that AI development remains under human control. The summit did not produce a major new AI agreement, but American and Chinese officials had already agreed to establish a formal dialogue on AI safety, including communication protocols for serious AI incidents, with another round of talks expected in China.

Fentanyl was another area where Washington has pressed Beijing for action. Shortly before Xi arrived, China added two more fentanyl-related precursor chemicals to its export-control list, requiring permits before they can be shipped to the United States, Mexico, or Canada. The Trump administration has repeatedly pressured China to restrict chemicals used by criminal organizations to manufacture fentanyl.

One of the summit’s most sensitive subjects was Taiwan.

According to China’s account of the talks, Xi urged Trump to oppose Taiwanese independence. Beijing had also been expected to pressure the President over American arms sales to Taiwan. The Trump administration previously approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, while another package worth roughly $14 billion has remained on hold. Trump has described the latter package as a “negotiating chip.”

The United States maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan and is required under U.S. law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. Beijing claims Taiwan as Chinese territory, while Taiwan’s government rejects China’s sovereignty claims. No major change in U.S. Taiwan policy was announced during Xi’s visit.

Perhaps the most consequential development for the ongoing war with Iran emerged after the summit.

U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue revealed Friday that Trump directly confronted Xi about Chinese assistance to Tehran. According to Perdue, Trump told the Chinese leader that direct or indirect assistance—including intelligence, military equipment, or parts—would be unacceptable.

Perdue said the United States subsequently received assurances from Beijing that China was not providing such assistance and said Washington had already seen “movement” on the issue.

Trump himself confirmed Friday that Iran came up during his talks with Xi.

The assurances are significant given reports about the depth of the China-Iran relationship. Reuters reported earlier this year that Iran was expected to receive as many as 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers. The outlet has also reported that Tehran has used arrangements involving Chinese purchases to circumvent sanctions on Iranian oil and obtain billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese goods, including military equipment.

There are, however, conflicting accounts about what Beijing intends to do. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Chinese officials had separately assured Tehran that China would not limit its economic, political, or military relationship with Iran because of pressure from Washington. China has not publicly confirmed the assurances Perdue says were given to the United States.

The three-day visit itself was filled with diplomatic ceremony. Trump personally welcomed Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, to the United States before hosting a formal arrival ceremony and state dinner at the White House. On Friday, the two presidents and first ladies had tea at the White House before traveling together to the National Archives, where the state visit concluded.

For all the ceremony, however, the summit appears to have been more about managing one of the world’s most important—and potentially dangerous—relationships than resolving its deepest disagreements. Trade tensions remain. China’s dominance of critical-mineral supply chains remains a concern. Taiwan remains a flashpoint. The two nations remain competitors in artificial intelligence and advanced technology. And Beijing’s relationship with Iran could directly affect American forces and the course of the war in the Middle East.

Yet Trump and Xi emerged from the visit emphasizing continued communication rather than confrontation. Whether the understandings reached in Washington produce lasting changes—particularly regarding Iran, trade, and Taiwan—will become clearer in the months ahead.

The relationship between the United States and China carries enormous consequences for our economy, national security, and the possibility of peace or conflict around the world. Let’s pray for President Trump and his advisers to have wisdom and discernment as they navigate this relationship, for America’s leaders to recognize both opportunities and dangers clearly, and for any commitments made by China that advance peace and protect American lives to be honored.

What are you praying for following President Trump’s meetings with Xi Jinping? Share your prayers below.

(Photo Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)