Few bilateral relationships carry more consequence for the global order than that between the United States and China. As Presidents Trump and Xi convene for a high-stakes summit, questions about trade policy, technology competition, and long-term strategic rivalry take on renewed urgency — and the outcomes, or lack thereof, will shape the landscape for months to come.
On May 18, 2026, The National Committee brought together three leading China experts — Dr. Kyle Chan, Dr. Elizabeth Economy, and Dr. Zongyuan Zoe Liu — alongside NCUSCR President Stephen Orlins to assess what the summit reveals about the trajectory of U.S.-China relations