Trump-Xi summit worries, tariffs tested, diaspora drama: 7 US-China relations reads
From soybeans and tariffs to Chinese-American plays, here are highlights from our US correspondents in early April 2026
1. Trump-Xi summit shaped by uncertainty, not strategy: experts
The lead-up for the consequential Trump-Xi summit has been compressed and rather disjointed given the Middle East war and Trump’s preference for making last-minute decisions based on his “gut”. One source told the South China Morning Post: “You have the most predictable president and the least predictable president. God knows what will come out.”
2. As Xi-Trump summit approaches, tariffs continue to choke direct trade
Direct trade between China and the United States has continued its shrinking trend, new US government data showed, as the anniversary of “Liberation Day” highlighted how last year’s tariff escalations deepened tensions between the two global powers.
3. How Chinese-American playwright is telling ‘new wave of stories’ about diaspora
Alex Lin is part of a new generation of Chinese-American voices seeking to articulate their own experiences, ones that often differ radically from those who came before. Her plays offer a window into contemporary American life, while paying homage to how earlier generations have shaped the future.