Strategic Deliverables for the Trump-Xi Summit Focus on Diplomatic Restoration and Tangible Trade Stabilisation

As Trump prepares for his China trip, experts suggest focusing on consulate reopenings and visa-free travel to stabilize a volatile U.S.-China relationship.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 15, 2026, 4:24 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Diplomat

Lowering Expectations for a High-Stakes Encounter

The upcoming meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping requires a pragmatic approach to avoid the pitfalls of past diplomatic friction. According to Zhiqun Zhu, a professor of international relations at Bucknell University, both nations must recalibrate their goals toward a few specific results rather than pursuing a transformative "grand deal." Given the current climate of economic competition and the recent military escalations in the Middle East involving U.S. interests, a stabilized relationship is viewed as the most favorable outcome. By focusing on narrow but significant breakthroughs, both leaders can manage domestic political pressures while preventing further degradation of the bilateral bond.

Restoring Diplomatic Channels Through Consulate Reopenings

A primary deliverable under consideration is the reciprocal reopening of the consulates in Houston and Chengdu, which were closed during a peak of bilateral hostility in 2020. The shuttering of the Chinese mission in Houston and the subsequent closure of the U.S. mission in Chengdu left a significant void in diplomatic communication and regional engagement. Restoring these offices would serve as a powerful signal of a return to functional diplomacy and provide essential infrastructure for managing the complex needs of citizens and businesses in both countries. This move is seen as a low-hanging fruit that offers high symbolic and practical value without requiring major legislative concessions.

Visa Liberalisation and People-to-People Exchanges

To counter the narrative of total decoupling, there is a growing push for China to extend its recent visa-free entry policies to American citizens. Beijing has already granted 15-day visa-free travel to numerous European and Asian nations to stimulate tourism and business investment. Including the United States in this framework would not only facilitate economic activity but also help rebuild the personal and cultural ties that have frayed over the last several years. Such a gesture from the Chinese side could be met with reciprocal American efforts to streamline the visa application process for Chinese students and researchers, addressing a long-standing grievance in the academic community.