Stephen Roach: Xi May Be Using Trump Summits to Buy Time on China’s Economy

Economist Stephen Roach suggested that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s willingness to engage in a series of meetings with Donald Trump may stem from concerns about China’s economic slowdown and a desire to buy time. In an interview with Stephen Engle on Bloomberg’s Insight with Haslinda Amin, Roach argued that Xi likely does not share the personal camaraderie that Trump portrays, and Chinese officials are realistic about the limited progress possible with an unpredictable counterpart. Roach’s analysis comes amid heightened tensions between the world’s two largest economies, with trade and technology disputes weighing on global markets. He noted that China’s economic challenges, including slowing growth and debt issues, may be driving Xi’s diplomatic outreach. The summits could serve as a strategic pause while China addresses its domestic vulnerabilities. The interview provided a nuanced perspective on US-China relations, highlighting the gap between public displays of friendship and underlying strategic calculations. Roach’s insights are particularly relevant as investors assess the risks and opportunities in both economies. With uncertainty looming, the coming months will reveal whether these summits yield tangible outcomes or merely serve as temporary respites.