On May 14, 2026, a U.S.-China summit was held in Beijing. Facing mounting diplomatic and political burdens—including the prolonged U.S.-Iran war, skyrocketing oil prices due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and domestic controversies over war powers—the Trump administration sought to secure tangible economic achievements. Recognizing these U.S. political needs, China offered limited concessions in sectors such as aircraft, agricultural products, and market access to define U.S.-China relations as a “constructive strategic stability relationship.” Also, Beijing presented the Taiwan issue and respect for its core interests as guiding principles for managing bilateral relations, thereby laying the foundation for long-term U.S.-China relations.

This summit can be evaluated as a success for China, which capitalized on America’s political vulnerabilities to gain a strategic advantage in bilateral relations and the Taiwan issue. However, it is crucial to note that this advantage was not achieved because China’s national power or strategy overwhelmed the United States. Rather, it was a relative gain from the Trump administration’s weakened domestic and international standing, under pressure from the prolonged U.S.-Iran war and the upcoming midterm elections. Consequently, given the conditions created by the U.S. midterm elections and the protracted U.S.-Iran conflict, U.S.-China relations are highly likely to remain relatively stable this year.

This article is an English Summary of Asan Issue Brief (2026-19).

(‘베이징 미중 정상회담과 중국의 전략적 계산’,