Trump-Xi summit questions mount

The upcoming diplomatic engagement comes as the Trump administration accuses China-backed actors of running 'industrial-scale' campaigns to steal American AI secrets.

Tensions are further strained by China's deepening ties with Russia and its strategic stockpiling of oil before the Iran war.

President Xi has also been accused of weaponizing foreign airspace to isolate Taiwan's leadership.

Analysts suggest the summit could either provide a necessary de-escalation or push the two superpowers into more confrontational territory.