Beijing Bound

President Trump heads to China today for two days of meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

It’s Air Force One’s first China landing since 2017, and Trump is bringing a brigade of 16 business leaders—including Apple’s Tim Cook and Tesla’s Elon Musk—in hopes of gaining more access to the world’s second-largest economy. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang wasn’t invited, amid the countries’ ongoing AI chip stalemate; China won’t buy what Uncle Sam’s willing to sell, and Uncle Sam won’t sell what China wants.

To be discussed: China purchasing American farm goods and Boeing jets, rare earth agreements, Iran, and Taiwan. As Iran’s largest trade partner, China could be key in resolving the U.S./Iran conflict, and Beijing’s hoping to soften Washington’s Taiwan policy and press Trump to stop sending arms to the world’s semiconductor hub.

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PRAY WITH US
Wonderful Counselor, while the far-reaching implications of these meetings are beyond our comprehension, they are not beyond Yours. So as two earthly powers meet, we pray for an abundance of wisdom as difficult problems are discussed and for resolutions that increase justice and human flourishing. 

Where there are dead ends, provide resolutions. Where there are irreconcilable differences, bring reconciliation. Give all those in the room grace to desire the right things, courage to pursue them, and Your favor to execute them. Amen.