Why the Fragile Trump-Xi Truce Could Break Before the U.S.-China D.C. Summit

Analysts point to the timing of the summit as a critical test for the bilateral relationship, suggesting that any misstep could undo months of cautious engagement. South China Morning Post reports a columnist’s year‑long Harvard appointment aimed at sustaining dialogue, while Brookings argues Beijing is not taking Trump’s overtures at face value. Barron's headlines the truce as “fragile,” echoing an editorial in The Edge Malaysia that a détente does not equal peace.

The coverage collectively underscores skepticism among policy circles about the durability of the current engagement, highlighting divergent views on whether strategic incentives or mistrust drive the interaction. The next step is the Washington summit, where U.S. and Chinese delegations will meet amid the uncertainty highlighted by the pieces. Observers will watch whether the Harvard‑based dialogue can produce concrete agreements that survive the summit’s outcome.

Any indication of a breakdown before the talks will likely dominate the diplomatic narrative in the days that follow.