Of all the events at the UN General Assembly, the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is the most anticipated. This first face-to-face between the two leaders in the White House will set the stage for discussions on trade, AI safety, and rare minerals.

The trade truce from last year's Busan meeting, set to expire on November 10, will be discussed. Both leaders could set purchase targets for key trade items, including agricultural products, energy, and Boeing aircraft. The $30 billion non-sensitive goods package may also be further negotiated, with AI safety high on the agenda. However, with calls to slow AI development for safety, US businesses are wary of being outpaced by China.

Geopolitical issues, such as China’s economic ties with Iran, arms sales to Taiwan, and detained foreign nationals, will also be on the table. Washington is pushing for greater access to Chinese markets and critical minerals, while Beijing seeks relief from tariffs and restrictions. The symbolic gestures from the May Beijing summit suggest that major concessions are unlikely, but the possibility of a show of deliverables remains.

Dry wit aside, the outcome of this summit could shape the future of trade and technology, with rare minerals acting as a key bargaining chip. The world watches with bated breath, wondering if this meeting will bring about a breakthrough or simply maintain the status quo.