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ICES and ICAS Webinar: Trump's Visit to China: Key Takeaways for U.S.-China-Europe Relations

Hosted by the Institute for China-Europe Studies (ICES) and the Institute for China-America Studies (ICAS)

ICES and ICAS Webinar poster

Date and Time:
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 15:00–16:00 CEST (09:00–10:00 EDT, 21:00–22:00 BJT)
Venue: Online, registration required

Speakers (A-Z):

  • Dr. DA Wei, Professor, Director of the Center for International Security and Strategy, Tsinghua University
  • Dr. Daniel BALAZS, Senior Research Analyst, ICES
  • Dr. Michael SWAINE, Senior Research Fellow, Quincy Institute

Moderator:
Dr. HONG Nong, Executive Director & Senior Fellow, ICAS

Opening Remarks:
YANG Li, Executive Director, ICES

Background:

US President Donald Trump's visit to China comes at a consequential moment for U.S.-China relations and the wider international order. After years of strategic competition, economic tension, technology restrictions, and growing geopolitical mistrust, the visit offers an important opportunity to assess whether Washington and Beijing are moving toward a more stable framework of engagement — or simply managing competition through temporary understandings.

The meeting is expected to carry significance beyond the bilateral relationship. For the United States and China, key questions include the situation in Iran, whether both sides can stabilize economic ties, manage disputes over Taiwan, address concerns over technology and supply chains, and maintain channels of communication on global security issues. Even limited progress may signal a shared interest in preventing competition from becoming uncontrolled confrontation. At the same time, the visit may also reveal the limits of leader-level diplomacy when deeper structural tensions remain unresolved.

For Europe, the implications are equally important. U.S.-China relations increasingly shape the strategic environment in which European policymakers must operate. A partial U.S.-China thaw could create new space for economic engagement, but it could also raise concerns in Europe about being sidelined in major-power bargaining. Conversely, renewed U.S.-China friction would increase pressure on European states to align more closely with Washington while still managing complex economic relations with China. Issues such as trade, technology standards, critical minerals, green industries, sanctions, and global security will all affect Europe's room for maneuver.

This webinar will examine the major takeaways from Trump's China visit and explore what they mean for the future of U.S.-China-Europe relations. The discussion will consider not only immediate diplomatic outcomes, but also the broader narratives emerging from Washington, Beijing, and European capitals. Is the visit a step toward pragmatic stabilization, a tactical pause in strategic rivalry, or a new phase of transactional great-power diplomacy? How should Europe interpret and respond to possible shifts in U.S.-China engagement?

By bringing together expert perspectives, the webinar aims to provide a timely assessment of the visit's significance and its implications for U.S.-China relations, transatlantic coordination, and Europe's strategic positioning between Washington and Beijing.

Registration:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4wbn6O8ORZauSEqUPjIPsA