China seeks clarity on Trump's proposed Xi meeting

President Trump sparked new speculation about a possible meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. He mentioned that the U.S. needs to "clean up" before a summit can happen soon. However, no details were provided, and China has not responded publicly. The stakes are high for this potential visit. Trump has imposed 20 percent tariffs on Chinese goods and may introduce more next month. China aims to avoid further escalations in the trade war, which could hurt its struggling economy. Chinese experts say they want to know what Trump truly desires and who in Washington can effectively communicate with him. To find answers, scholars from China visited the U.S. last month for informal talks with U.S. officials and foreign policy experts. There are concerns in China that those negotiating on their behalf may not be relaying their messages to Trump. Da Wei, a scholar from Beijing, expressed doubts about whether diplomatic channels reach the president. China has shown its willingness to engage in talks. The Chinese commerce minister recently invited his U.S. counterparts to a meeting. Additionally, Chinese officials have emphasized their commitment to reduce fentanyl production, urging a return to dialogue with the United States.